Purple Creek has professionally inspected, restored and cleaned this piece of fine jewelry. Our expert metalsmiths have approved this item as ready for the next generation of ownership.
Photos are of the actual item being sold.
Estate jewelry may contain very minor to minor markings due to age and wear. While we represent items accurately on our site to the best of our ability, the color calibration of computer monitors can vary, causing colors to appear slightly different from one monitor to another. Due to this, please note that precise color representation of metal and gemstones is not always possible.
Authentication
This item has been inspected and evaluated by our team of Metalsmiths, Jewelry Appraisers and Gemologists using strict industry standards for diamonds, colored gemstones and precious metals.
Mountings may prohibit full and accurate observation of gem quality and weight, all data pertaining to mounted gems can be considered as approximate unless accompanied by an independent laboratory (ex. AGL, GIA). Unless otherwise stated, all colored stones and pearls are assumed to be subject to industry standards of acceptable treatments, by gemstone miners and producers, of relatively stable and possibly undetected color and/or clarity enhancement.
Shipping and Returns
This item can be returned for credit card refund.
Return Authorization requests must be made within 14 days of shipment and the item must be returned within 21 days of original shipment with security tag intact on the item as received.
See the Return Policy for more details.
Alphonse La Paglia
In the heart of post-war America, a young Sicilian silversmith named Alphonse La Paglia embarked on a journey that would etch his name in the annals of American design. Leaving behind the rustic shores of Sicily, La Paglia sought fortune and artistic freedom in New York City, a bustling metropolis ripe with opportunity and hungry for innovation. Here, he caught the eye of Frederick Lunning, the man behind the prestigious Georg Jensen store, who was desperately searching for a master craftsman to substitute the Danish imports halted by the war.
By 1948, driven by a vision to create without constraints, La Paglia had established his own workshop in New Jersey, crafting pieces that bore his unique touch yet resonated with Jensen's elegance. This venture was short-lived, as in 1952 he aligned with the International Silver Company and relocated to Meriden, Connecticut. There he set up a small workshop behind his home and formed International Sterling Craft Associates. Tragically, La Paglia's brilliance was extinguished too soon, as he passed away in November 1953, leaving behind a legacy characterized by exceptional craftsmanship and a brief but impactful career.
What distinguished La Paglia's work was not just his affiliation with Jensen or his subsequent solo creations but his commitment to quality and detail. His pieces, often compared to Jensen's but uniquely his own, are a testament to his skill and vision. Despite the brevity of his career, Alphonse La Paglia remains a beloved figure in the annals of American silver design, celebrated for his unique blend of American vigor and European finesse.
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