Hans Appenzeller

Hans Appenzeller (1949) is one of the innovative jewellery designers of the twentieth century. Since the sixties, he has been making jewellery out of materials such as aluminium and rubber, which were unconventional until then. In his work, the construction and the clasp are just as important as the material and the shape. Immediately after completing his studies at the Rietveld Academie in 1969, Appenzeller opened the first Dutch jewellery gallery in Amsterdam, Galerie Sieraad, together with Lous Martin. After that, he opened his own shops in Amsterdam and New York, where he also organized exhibitions with other designers. Before fashion shows as we know them today had been developed, Appenzeller, together with Jan Aarntzen, came up with the concept of a catwalk show in the seventies, to present his jewellery to the public. Appenzeller did not make his jewellery in order to put it in a display case, but in order for it to be worn.
Through text and images, this monograph explores Hans Appenzeller's extensive and multifaceted oeuvre. Ivo Weyel tells Appenzeller's life story, and Jeroen van den Eijnde explains the importance and the context of his work. In addition, this book presents a wide selection of Appenzeller's pioneering designs.