Oppi Untracht Explained

Oppi A. J. Untracht (November 17, 1922 – July 5, 2008) was an American master metalsmith,^[1] educator, and writer.

Biography

Born in New York City, Untracht obtained his Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University in 1947. Originally trained as a photographer,^[2] he studied Indian arts and crafts and later became an expert on the jewelry of India^[3] and Nepal. In addition to being an honorary member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths, in 2000 Untracht was awarded a Lifetime American Achievement Award on behalf of the American Craft Council.^[4] His first book, Metal Techniques for Craftsmen is considered a standard training textbook for silversmiths.

Untracht married Finnish designer Saara Hopea, and moved permanently to Finland in 1967. Untracht died in Porvoo in 2008.^[5]

Bibliography

• Metal Techniques for Craftsmen (1968).
• Jewelry Concepts and Technology^[1] (1982).
• Saara Hopea Untracht: Elämä ja työ — Life and Work (1988).
• Traditional Jewelry of India (1997).

Notes and References

1. News: Focus on Current Directions in Jewelry. February 14, 1988. The New York Times. April 15, 2011. Patricia. Malarcher.
2. News: Clusters of Treasures To Clothe the Soul. New York Times. November 29, 1998. April 15, 2011. Paula. Deitz. November 29, 1998.
3. News: Indian Jewels Go From Head To Toe. February 1, 1999. New York Daily News. April 15, 2011. Mila. Andre.
4. Web site: In memoriam: Writer Oppi Untracht. The American Council for Southern Asian Art. April 15, 2011.
5. https://www.hs.fi/muistot/art-2000002623708.html Obituary: Oppi Untracht