1274
Hystak, Annie
1876 Brno - 1921 Freiburg i.Br.
Bicolour jewellery watch with diamonds.
Around 1915. Yellow gold 14k (tested) and silver (tested). Engraved, round case. Gilt dial with Arabic minute scale and minute ring, pin hands. Crown winding movement. Bicolour, graduated, openworked link bracelet decorated with volutes, set with ten old-european-cut diamonds weighing in total 0,20 carats SI, wesselton. Maker's mark and artist's signum.
Diam. 2,1 cm (watch),
L 16,5 cm (strap). 20,6 g.
«Annie Hystak's art is inspired by so much emotion, by so much joy in creating and giving these delicacies, that it becomes an experience for the viewer as well.» This is how Máximo Asenjo describes the exceptional jewellery of a unique jewellery designer in his 1921 article in «Dekorative Kunst»: Annie Hystak. Born in 1876 in Brno, Czech Republic, the goldsmith died in Freiburg i.Br. after residencies in Berlin, Munich and Paris in 1921. Her jewellery, which can be attributed neither to Historism nor Art Nouveau nor the emerging Art Deco, captivates with its own language of form and colour and is simply Annie Hystak. In their issue from 30 June 1924, the Time Magazine describes her as a jewellery artist who makes her pieces exclusively for her clients, first studying their hand and personality for a ring creation. Then translating this knowledge with precious stones, she brings them to optimal expression in disciplined floral settings. She loves playing with material surfaces and the use of coloured stones. As she always speaks her own language, her creations are truly timeless.
In addition to jewellery, the designer also created link bracelets for selected wristwatches.
Provenance: Estate of the artist to a long-time confidante; by succession transferred to private collection Freiburg i.Br.

Condition report