Ulla + Martin Kaufmann / Jewelry

Ulla and Martin Kaufmann’s early works feature abstract shapes reminiscent of flowers, complemented with effectively staged colored gemstones. The Palladio and the Passione cutlery lines, designed in 1986 and 1997 respectively for the Wilkens company, are perfect examples of Classical Modernism and German design after 1945. Their jewelry lines and objects created in the past decade reflect their fascination for gold and their in-depth involvement with the work of sculptors Richard Serra, Donald Judd and Eduardo Chillida. The Kaufmanns’ neck hoops and bangles, made supple and springy by intense hammering, reveal an austere minimalism coupled with pronounced sensuousness. Ulla and Martin Kaufmann have been honored with numerous awards, and many of their creations have been included in museum collections. They count among the most important gold- and silversmiths of our time.