Rafael Canada and The Women's Liberation Movement

Rafael adored women, their strength and courage.  Some of his most unusual designs are based around the Women's Liberation Movement.  Throughout the late 1960-1970s during the Women's Liberation Movement, he would occasionally design pieces to celebrate feminism. 


Women's Liberation Necklace in Brass

An Early Example of his work - Venus of Willendorf

Collecting Rafael Canada - Rafael Alfandary Rings

If you are interested in collecting Rafael Canada jewelry, one of the easiest to wear and most diverse areas is his rings.  Almost all of his rings are adjustable in size and they also come in a multitude of stunning rich colors.  Brass is the most common material used followed by copper, silver tone metal and sterling silver. 
Each one is truly a work of wearable art.

Quebec Modernist Enamel Jewelry

de Passille - Sylvestre Brooch - Picture by Scandimania

In the 1960-70's Quebec seemed to produce more then just Brutalist jewelry designers, it also produced a large handful of talented Modernist Enamel Artists.  I believe when these enamel items were originally produced, they were more of a souvenir you would pick up on a trip to Montreal.  They have become highly collectable over the past few years being that they are easy to wear and lend themselves to our modern aesthetics.
Key designers include; de Passille - Sylvestre, Robert Gervais, Jules Perrier, Claude Perrier, Monique Olivier, and Andre Gagneau.


Gervais Necklace - Picture by Oselart

Claude Perrier Necklace

Erotica de Passille - Sylvestre Belt Buckle - Picture by Scandimania

Monique Olivier Necklace



Brutalist Design in Canada

Canada in the 1960-70's was really at the forefront of Modernist Jewelry and Design.  For some reason Canada as a whole embraced the Brutalist aesthetic.  Everything from buildings to chastity belts were created in Brutalist design. 


Robert Larin Necklace

To most people today who are not familiar with this design aesthetic, Brutalism comes across a crude, sloppy and sometimes aggressive.  The more you study it, the more you realize how it is actually a very controlled and organic form of design.  Most pieces have a sense of fluidity and are works of art. 
Some of my favorite Canadian Brutalist jewelry designers are Robert Larin, Guy Vidal, Rafael Alfandary, Jean Claude Darveau and Bernard Chaudron. 


Guy Vidal Brooches

Jean Claude Darveau Necklace and Earrings

Robert Larin Gold Plated Necklace

Rafael Alfandary "Muhammad Ali" Necklace in Copper and Brass



Rafael Canada Nautical Inspiration

Over the past year of collecting Rafael Canada jewelry, I have noticed a love of all things nautical in his designs.  I have owned several pieces ranging from Anchors to Ship Wheels.  All very unique and all still very wearable!
Ships Ahoy!


Rafael Canada Copper Anchor Necklace with glass stone

Rafael Canada Ship Wheel necklace with green glass stone

Rafael Canada Brass Boat





Rafael Alfandary (aka Rafael Canada)

Over the past year I have taken an interest in a wonderful jewelry designer from the 1970s by the name of
Rafael Alfandary.   Rafael was a famous jewelry designer based in Canada for much of his life.  His designs tend to be made out of brass with a glass cabochon.
He most typically made necklaces and rings with bracelets, brooches and earrings being more rare. 

I tend to collect his more unique items.  The below example is a Self Portrait done in Sterling Silver with brass details and a red glass cabochon in his mouth.  This has an option to use it as a pendant, a brooch and possibly a bolo tie! 

Rare Rafael Alfandary Self Portrait

A large Rafael Alfandary Bracelet

An Early Copper Rafael Ring

Brass Rafael Alfandary kinetic Necklace



Our Politically Incorrect Past and Drink Coasters.

Sometimes you collect an item without knowing what you would ever use it for.  I've been picking up these novelty small dishes for years, too small to display on the wall, too flat to display on a shelf, I'm sure too toxic to use for food. 
When I moved into my new apartment I had a moment of sheer genius..... coasters for drinks.  They now sit stacked on the corner of my coffee table waiting to be noticed by an unsuspecting guest. 

Politically incorrect, sometimes sexist, a snapshot to Canada's and the USA's past.