Ruby-in-Zoisite on Rose Quartz Sculpture by Helmut Wolf


Idar-Oberstein, Germany Comprising a large slab of Tanzanian ruby-in-zoisite with smooth polished face, detachable from the base of massive rose quartz from Madagascar. Height 17 1/4in (44.1cm)
|Provenance: Purchased from Christie's, London, South Kensington, March 6, 2007, Sale 5248, Lot 934. Helmut WolfA third generation gem carver, Wolf trained at the "Weiherschleife" Institute of Idar-Oberstein, which emphasized ancient traditions of gem cutting and still employed historical water-wheel driven grinding machines. At the age of 28, after setting up his own workshop, Wolf began to leave the traditional ways of forming gem vessels behind in order to carve his own creative path. His work comprises items that have both matte and polished surfaces, cut extremely thin, often allowing for the natural "crust" or rind of the specimen to be an element of the design. But the road leading to an artistically formed vessel is an arduous one and to hold a completed vessel in one's hand with a finely shaped rim, to strike it with a thumbnail and hear a clear tone or resonance fill the room is still a goal that fills him with joy when he has successfully achieved it.