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tline3open  Edmond Bokor: Chicago Art Silver CO.

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Author Topic:   Edmond Bokor: Chicago Art Silver CO.
Fitzhugh

Posts: 136
Registered: Jan 2002

iconnumber posted 02-01-2002 07:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fitzhugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Does anyone have info. on Ed. Bokor, an Arts/Crafts era metal worker in Chicago? I believe he was with the Chicago Art Silver Company, but that's all I know. I have a great little tile by him, from his home, and would like to have some further history on it, and market history of his work if available.
Thanks all!

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 02-01-2002 08:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Edmund Boker immigrated to Chicago from Hungary in 1907 with his friend Ernest Gould. In 1912 the two ventured into business forming the Chicago Art Silver Shop. Boker was a master craftsman in the art of repousse and the items I have seen of his work attest to this fact. Boker was still active in his craft at age 90 when Sharon Darling wrote about him in her book Chicago Metalsmiths.
Is it possible you could send an image of your tile so that we could all see it? Is the tile marked with his name? Why do you attribute it to Mr. Boker? So many questions from this lover of metalwork...

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Fitzhugh

Posts: 136
Registered: Jan 2002

iconnumber posted 02-02-2002 05:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fitzhugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for the kind and quick reply!! I shall take the tile to work this coming week and try to get a photo downloaded. The tile/plaque depicts Adam & Eve in the Garden, and is signed lower right "Edmond Bokor" in script. It appears to have been done as an actual signature onto the metal, and quite unusual. I would have expected a stamp/punch mark instead, but when I contacted the fellow from whom I purchased this, he explained that it was the personal property of the artist (He had no idea who made it either.), having been incorporated as an architectural element in Bokor's home. It measures about 9" square, so perhaps it was used around a fireplace? It is beautifully hand hammered.

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 02-02-2002 07:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is a rare treat to be able to own and see a personal item of such a fine craftsman as Mr. Boker... As a metalsmith myself, I find particular delight in touching and seeing how an item was made and what tools or techniques the craftsman may have used in the making of the item. They are a great source of learning for me. Thank you for taking the time to get an image for us to see. If you have the oportunity.. check your local library and locate a copy of Ms Darlings book. It will be worth your while to be able to see the imagaes of his other works.

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Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 02-02-2002 10:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Fred,

How do you mark your own work? Do you have more than one mark or marking method? For that matter it would be nice to see some examples.

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 02-02-2002 04:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Scott, I am flattered that you would wish to know my maker's mark... It is an square intaglio mark that is comprized of the letters F and Z The Z is smaller and interlocke within the spaces of the F to make a neat square... When I can afford the camera I will post it along with examples of my work. Thanks for asking.
I would be interested in finding out which digital cameras people use and why they like the ones they have chosen. I need to be able to take macro images for my study of metal techniques and to document my work and my collections.

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Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 02-02-2002 04:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Fred, I use a Sony Mavica with a 10X zoom. With it, I can get very good close ups, and it is also quite easy to use. It stores images on a floppy, and I usually average about 45 images (of silver pieces on a white background) per disk. When I bought mine about a year and a half ago, my model was $500, but the price has since dropped at least $100.

To edit my photos, I use Adobe Photoshop 6.0.

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Fitzhugh

Posts: 136
Registered: Jan 2002

iconnumber posted 02-15-2002 07:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fitzhugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have an image of the Bokor tile ready, Here is the image:

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 02-17-2002 11:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What a prize!!! It is a rare example of the personal work of this fine craftsman showing his skill as a sculptor and artist as well as a fine silversmith. Thank you for sharing this with us... Did you happen to get the signature photographed?

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Fitzhugh

Posts: 136
Registered: Jan 2002

iconnumber posted 02-18-2002 06:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fitzhugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is signed lower right, and is very legible when viewed in person, but my flash washed it out so, I couldn't get a decent image of his name.

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 02-18-2002 09:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My interest in the signature is based on the difference in spelling of Boker/Bokor. My guess is that Bokor is the correct Hungarian spelling of his surname and that when he immigrated it was misspelled or purposely changed at that time. Not an uncommon practice. Thank you once again for sharing in this treasure.

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Fitzhugh

Posts: 136
Registered: Jan 2002

iconnumber posted 02-19-2002 06:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fitzhugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm glad someone appreciates this. I had wanted at one time to dispose of it, as it certainly doesn't fit into our collection of Southern decorative arts (19th cen). Rago wouldn't even respond, apparently thought it junk, and no other Arts and Crafts dealer/auction I corresponded with had an interest either. It had gone back into a drawer. Thanks for your positive comments! I'm happy it rates a bit more respect than some had given it.

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 02-19-2002 09:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am glad I was able to boost your opinion of the tile you puchased. You must have realized something of beauty in it to have paid for it. Appraisers often have to consider profit and the pocketbook when considering the purchase or desirability of an item. Metalwork is not always appreciated and the techniques used in it's production fully understood. My comments on your tile came from the heart of one who works in metal and who understands what was involved in conceiving, designing, and executing the tile you own. Were you to approach me on purchasing such an item I would be driven by the technique as much as the image. The historic significance would lend value to me as well and the quirk of the name differnce Bokor/Boker would intrigue me as well.
Again I thank you for sharing it with us.

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Fitzhugh

Posts: 136
Registered: Jan 2002

iconnumber posted 02-19-2002 05:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fitzhugh     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'll try again later on the signature. My apologies for my poor skills at digital photography! Perhaps I can catch the light at a time when I won't have to use flash. Again, I appreciate the opinions and appreciation. I loved the piece when I saw it for sale many years back, and still appreciate it, though it's a loner in the house!

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 03-28-2002 02:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Scott,
You had flattered me by asking how I marked my work and wanting to seeing examples. Now that I have a camera I am sending these to you. Post them if you wish. When I have mastered the posting of images I will fill the forum with all sorts of info. Tell me if I exceed the capacity to absorb the images and info. I often get carried away with my enthusiasm. The image of my mark is a large F with a small Z within the space created by the F. It is an intaglio mark similar to many of the european marks. I had the mark made nearly 20yrs ago and have used it exclusively in my work. Prior to that I used seperate F & Z letters with serifs from a standard letter punch set and staggered the Z slightly to the lower right of the Z.
Fred

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June Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 1326
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 03-28-2002 08:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for June Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Bravo, Fred. The flatware looks great. I think your mark deserves a thread of its own!

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t-man-nc

Posts: 327
Registered: Mar 2000

iconnumber posted 03-29-2002 06:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for t-man-nc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So when can I add such an Item to my collection...? :-)

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 03-29-2002 08:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have never been one to refuse a commision.... In fact I am looking for a patron to help me support my craft.... !!!!Now wait! This is not the format to blatantly promote myself!!!! This is the format to share and share I will..... This is a wonderful forum and I do my best to add to the information.

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