Pair of plated salt cellars in the Zakopane style, First Domestic Factory of Plated, Silver and Metal Products M. Jarra, Cracow, early 20th century.
A unique pair of plated salt cellars decorated with a Zakopane motif*.
Silver plated metal, engraved, die-cut.
On the bottom, on the inside the maker's mark 'M.JARRA'*.
Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 5 cm
Identical piece (single), exhibited at temporary exhibitions in:
- Museum of the Earth of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw: Zakopane-style wares of the First Domestic Factory of Plated, Bronze and Silver Products of M. Jarra in Cracow from private collections (20.V-13.VI.2021)
- The Dr. Tytus Chałbiński Tatra Museum in the Art Gallery at the Oksza Villa in Zakopane: Marcin Jarra's Plater Factory. Zakopane-style wares from private collections and museum collections (12.III-29.V.2022)
- Villa La Fleur: Zakopane. Carved. Namalowane (7.X.2023-31.III.2024)
Literature
- Catalog of the exhibition "The First National Plating Factory of Martin Jarra," Zakopane 2022, p. 48.
Catalog of the exhibition "Zakopane. Carved. Painted," Warsaw 2023, pp. 276-286.
* Marcin Jarra gained experience at the famous Norblin metalware factory in Warsaw, from where, around 1890, he was sent to Cracow together with M. Jakubowski to establish a branch of the Warsaw factory there. After some time, Jarra took over the factory and began independent production, specializing in silverware, such as everyday utensils, religious objects and Judaica. His products were very popular, especially since they were distinguished by their high artistic, decorative and technical level.
He often used motifs of Tatra flora and elements taken from architectural decorations or utilitarian objects. As the organizers of the exhibition at the Museum of the Earth in Warsaw wrote: The original shape of the handle of the milk scoop used daily by shepherds was borrowed for many items. In Jarra's case, it decorated sugar bowls, coffee pots, cups or served as suspensions for lamps. Highlander clips served as patterns for frames, key rings, cufflinks or decorations on ciupagi. The popularity of the designs can be evidenced by the fact that - in addition to those offered in the catalog - many additional models and their variants have been introduced to the market.
[MT]
