Clemens Friedell

American, 1872–1963

Birth placeNew Orleans (near), Louisiana, United States

Biographyhttp://www.chicagosilver.com/friedell.htm

Clemens Friedell was born near New Orleans in 1872. Three years later his family moved to Vienna, where he was educated, and eventually apprenticed with an Austrian silversmith. At 17 he moved to Texas, and in 1901 joined Gorham in Providence, Rhode Island, where he worked for seven years on their prestigious Martelé ("hammered" in French) handwrought line. In 1911 he found his way to Pasadena, California, and gained notoriety the following year with his "orange blossom set" for brewing tycoon E. R. Maier -- 107 pieces reminiscent of Martelé, with service for 18 and several large elaborate items including a 28-inch tall centerpiece. Maier paid him $15,000. It took over a year to make, used 2,200 ounces of silver, and was decorated with over 10,000 hand-chased orange blossoms.

Friedell burnished his reputation by catering to the local carriage trade with a series of heavy silver "equine portrait plaques" for his horse-loving customers. He received numerous commissions, and was highly sought after as a maker of trophies for organizations including the one that ran the Tournament of Roses parade. He set up shop in the Hotel Maryland, one of Pasadena's swankier resorts, and did well enough to retire in 1921 to Texas. After divorcing his wife in 1927, he moved back to California and set up another store, on Pasadena's main street. He began making everyday silver items, and remained there until his death in 1963.

Person TypePerson