Pair of 14 karat Gold Earrings by Loloma [SOLD]

In 1955, Charles Loloma started making jewelry after a successful career of making stoneware pottery with his wife Otellie.  He experimented with lost wax, sandcasting and tufa casting.  He became inspired while studying ancient Hohokam mosaic jewelry.  It was then that he began creating gold and silver jewelry with exotic inlay materials.

Loloma's impact on Indian jewelry design is unmistakable. He inspired a generation of young artists to express themselves in new and innovative ways. His own creations far exceeded anything being done by any other artist. His work ushered in a new era in Indian jewelry.  By 1970, his jewelry was finding a wide audience of collectors.  He had acquired a large national and international audience.  Interest in his jewelry has continued today even though he has been gone for over two decades.

This pair of earrings was made from 14 karat gold.  They are not stamped 14K but were registered with the Indian Arts & Crafts Association (no.0186) at the time they were purchased in 1981.  An IACA certificate accompanies the earrings.

It appears that Loloma preceded advertising his product with his name on the visible side before Gucci and others started displaying their names on their products.  The name loloma is stamped on the front of each earring.  His name on the face of each earring is the design.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: a Christmas gift to the current owner in 1981.

Recommended Reading:  Loloma: Beauty is his Name by Martha Hopkins Struever