TWO AUTHENTIC HANDCRAFTED APARTHEID ERA 'SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY MACE' SILVER T-SPOON PROTOTYPES

From the deceased estate of Tony Pagliari, master Goldsmith for the Pagliari Group. Listed here then are the original two Apartheid Era Pagliari silver t-spoon prototypes depicting the present day Apartheid goverment's Parliamentary Mace; designed and created by Tony Pagliari for the South African Government, the prototype blank included herewith bears a silver stamp, though it was not actually manufactured from silver, hence the dull hue by comparison to its finished counterpart. This blank was merely a dummy for what was to follow, and as such is a true one of a kind. The accompanying silver spoon bearing the crest was the first silver spoon to be struck off the mint. A limited minting then followed for the sole use of the South African Parliament, forming part of their fine silverware and none were ever circulated to the public. These two prototypes are from Tony Pagliari's personal collection and were his only keepsakes after decades of slaving away as Master Engraver/Goldsmith for the Pagliari Group. His widow wishes it to be made known that all the work on the actual Parliamentary Mace itself was also in fact done by Tony Pagliari and not his Uncle Mauro, as has often been falsely claimed. She claims that Tony (the nephew of Mauro) was in fact the only fully trained and qualified master craftsman behind all the groups creations. "Whilst Tony did the work, his uncle got the accolades". I have included herewith, for interest sake, a few Photos from clippings that are still in the family estate of Tony Pagliari at work. These accompanying photos of Tony Pagliari do not form part of this listing.

"Mauro Pagliari (Cape Town, 1957 – 2001, 2001 - )Mauro Pagliari was born in 1913 in the Italian town of Scanno. He received his training from Gampoli, a well known master engraver during the 1930’s. As prisoner of war in India and Ceylon, he drew attention to his remarkable creations of engraved flatware from scrap metal. He was conscripted in 1939 to serve in North Africa and was taken prisoner on the first day of hostilities. He spent the whole of the war in camps where he used tools made from scrap metal to create engraved cigarette cases, jewellery boxes and even surgical instruments. A highlight during this period of his life was the presentation of a hand engraved tray presented to Edwina, the wife of Lord Mountbatten. Pagliari arrived in 1952 in Cape Town, and as a classically trained master engraver and die-sinker with extensive experience, his skills were sought after. He worked with the Lehman Brothers until 1957 when he opened his own workshop. Pagliari was a perfectionist and a workaholic with an unswerving drive to create designs. He initially concentrated on hollow ware such as precious metal chalices, trophies and bowls as well as maces and medals. He sometimes manufactured designs from Joe Calafato who was a good colleague and friend. He was the first person to open a private mint in the Western Cape in 1978. In 1961 he was commissioned by the first South African Government to produce an 18ct gold Parliamentary Mace. It was to be the largest piece of worked gold in the country. It was designed by Mr C. Pama (Chair of the Heraldic Society of South Africa), made by Mr T.S. Quinlin (goldsmith, Cape Town), with engraving by Mr J. Pagliary. It took nine months to complete. Later, and attesting to their continued high standing amongst competitors, the

Pagliari Group went on to share a commission to produce the Parliamentary People’s Mace of the republic of South Africa (2004) as well as the making of the Black Rod for the national council of Provinces of the Republic of South Africa (2005) as well as the new Parliamentary emblems for the National Assembly as well as the National Council of Provinces (2007).

The workshop was also commissioned by the South African Government to produce a hand crafted silver rose bowl as a wedding gift to crown Prince Naruhito of Japan (1995), as well as a silver Chalice presented to Pope John Paul II by President Mandela in 1995. Other achievements include presenting President Mandela in 1994 with a 24 ct gold Unity medal on his 50th day in office as well as having been commissioned by the Società Italiana per l’Edizioni d’ Arte to represent the African continent in creating a Millennium 2000 Aurea medal. It consisted of 24 ct gold and was set with 64 diamonds. The collection formed part of the year 2000 celebrations, and consisted of five medallions other medallion designs from mints in Australia, China, Italy and Mexico.  A fair number of other high quality medals in gold and silver were also produced, most notable of which were a medal commemorating the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, and a later one commemorating the birth of Prince William. As a community engagement project, the workshop also created a range of Islam inspired coins in 24ct gold and sterling silver to help fund the building and maintenance of the Masjidul Quds complex in Cape Town. Following the designs of Tretchikoff, he created a collection of ten gold medallions depicting the Ten Commandments. Because of its religious content and the ‘earthly riches’ that gold represent, a minor moral stir was caused in local social circles.

In 1980 Pagliary was responsible for the creation of the Kruger Kilo, the first one kilogram 18ct gold coin manufactured in the world.  In addition, the workshop also produced a range of prestigious national and international sport trophies. The business continues to produce proof quality coins, medals, trophies, awards and plaques.

For many years, the workshop has been running a fully equipped tool-room and minting facility.  Hand modelling, sculpting and engraving as well as many types of machine engraving and etching are carried out under one roof at 15A Buitensingel Street in Cape Town. A decade ago they also started making use of computer technology in their designing and manufacturing. In-house training continues to take place. During his lifetime Pagliari gained both national and international recognition for his work. In 1980 he was awarded a Commendatore by the Italian Government for his art achievements outside Italy. This was followed in 1988 by a silver Order of Merit by the South African Government as well as an award in 2000 at the Fair of Vincenza in Italy for his lifelong contribution to the precious metal manufacturing industry. He was also generally regarded by his peers in South Africa as one of the best metal art craftsmen of his generation. Mauro Pagliari’s initial workshop, which consisted of himself and only one machine operator, grew exponentially into a business presently consisting of various companies that employ more than 55 staff members concerned with engraving, die-making and minting. From the start he also defied the labour laws of the time by employing coloured staff in artisan positions and providing in-house training on all facets of the production processes. Since his death in 2001 the business continues to be run by family members, Alberto Regasto and Toni Pagliari. The Pagliari group houses the largest and oldest engraving company on the sub-continent. The majority of their work is stamped with any of the following marks: PAGLIARI, CAPE MINT, CAPE SILVER, CM, CS and K."

 http://sagoldsmiths.blogspot.co.za/2012/05/rooted-in-1950s-overview-of-noted.html