Melinda wrote me following comment on Tnry's blog: Hi, I purchased a wonderful huge unsigned chunky Sterling Silver ring that I was told was made by Tony Mafia. The people I purchased it from said that they personally knew him and that it was probably the only piece of jewelry that he made. It is cast and abstract. It has a man and woman's head on it. The man has a large mustache. Do you have any idea if this story could be true? If so, any idea of value? If you know anything or would like a picture do contact me. So I did because I truly believe it is a piece done by Tony. He used to have a metal box in which he had jewelry making tools. I have seen it. I don't know whether this is the only know piece or whether he made several pieces. He has done several sculptures and the style and dealing with the material really looks it could have been a piece Tony made.
As to value, I don't really know: he used to say for a handful of love or a bag of peanuts. It is a rare piece, so to someone collecting Tony's work it might add something special to their collection.
I remember a story of two lawyers in California who in the 70's flew him over for a party because they had their 300 st piece of work by him, even a plaster cast he made as a child. I don't know the name of these good people. Maybe someone does... Maybe there are people out there who would like to see or own more Tony Mafia's. Maybe somewhere out there, there is a Tony Mafia foundation...
I remember a story of two lawyers in California who in the 70's flew him over for a party because they had their 300 st piece of work by him, even a plaster cast he made as a child. I don't know the name of these good people. Maybe someone does... Maybe there are people out there who would like to see or own more Tony Mafia's. Maybe somewhere out there, there is a Tony Mafia foundation...
4 comments:
Tony gave me silver and gold ring in 1968. I didn't have it long before some SOB stole it from me. I should have taken better care of my gift.
Hi there, my name is Louis Mc Loughlin and I was a friend of Tony's in Antwerp from 1982 to 1993 when I returned to Ireland. I first met him in the Hofke when I was at the Acadamie van Schone Kunst in 1982. I believe he showed me that ring one day on the terras of Cafe Het Zand which I took over in 1984, unless he made some very similar. i was only talking about him the other day to a friend and he suggested I look him up on the internet. What a surprise I got!
Louis, please write down your memories of Tony. If you have pictures of his work or of himself, do send them to me and I'll post it.
I remember Papa making this ring with Gina the jewelry designer. It was likely in the mid 80's.
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