650 EUR7581 SEK722 USDChange Currency
Designer / Maker: Björn Weckström (1935-) for Lapponia Jewelry Oy
Made year: 1982
Origin: Helsinki, Finland
Dimensions: Ring size: ID 16.5 mm / Circ. 52 mm, Mask: W 20 mm & L 50 mm, Wt 14.1 g
Condition: consistent with general wear and age
This vintage silver ring, called “Gonda’s Mask”, has an elongated top which stretches dramatically along the finger, forming an abstract mask with two small, almond-shaped eyes. Its surface is softly folded and modelled, with subtle ridges and depressions that give the silver an almost fabric-like quality despite the solid material.
The mask narrows towards both ends and is held by a simple band beneath, allowing the sculptural top to remain the focus. Seen from the side, the raised form gives the ring depth and a strong three-dimensional presence. On the hand it is bold, unusual and unmistakably Weckström — more like a small piece of sculpture worn on the finger than a conventional ring.
The model Gonda's Mask was designed by Björn Weckström for Lapponia in 1969. It is part of his celebrated Space Silver collection. According to Lapponia/Kalevala, Weckström drew inspiration for the Gonda mask from Aniara, Harry Martinson's epic science fiction poem, and the design was introduced in the same year as the first Moon landing.