Iosif Ashkinazi Jeweler Country: Israel

1. Biography of Joseph Ashkinazi
2. Early Life and Artistic Talents
3. The Master Jeweler
4. The Meeting at the Workshop
5. The Last Days
6. A Farewell

Biography of Joseph Ashkinazi

Joseph Ashkinazi, a jeweler, was born in Tashkent in a Jewish family. His mother, Esther Moiseevna Rabinovich, was a geologist, and his father, Boris Oizerovich Ashkinazi, was an economist. From a young age, little Osi showed a talent for drawing. He created his first jewelry piece at the age of 10 and named it "Running on the Waves". At the age of 13, he gave his grandmother an elegant wire composition as a birthday gift - a young boy and girl dancing on a piano lid. This gift is now kept in Israel, in the city of Ra'anana, where Esther Moiseevna lives. A year ago, her only son, the talented artist, poet, and jeweler Joseph Ashkinazi, was buried there.

Early Life and Artistic Talents

Joseph Ashkinazi was born on May 31, 1959, and passed away on August 30, 2001. From a young age, he displayed a passion for art and jewelry. He grew up in a family of a geologist and often accompanied his mother on expeditions in Central Asia. By the age of seven, he knew the names of hundreds of stones. He later studied at the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute, specializing in geology. After graduating, he continued to expand his collection of minerals during expeditions to Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands.

The Master Jeweler

In 1998, Joseph Ashkinazi settled in Orenburg, where he lived and worked for seven years. During that time, he established his own workshop and collaborated with friends to organize his first solo exhibition at the Orenburg Regional Museum. He brought not only a unique collection of gemstones, but also a multitude of his own works, executed with impeccable taste. His jewelry pieces, such as "When Sakura Blossoms" and "Dedication to Debussy," showcased his mastery of combining various stones and metals to create harmonious compositions.

The Meeting at the Workshop

In 1998, the narrator had the opportunity to visit Joseph Ashkinazi's workshop with her mother and a video camera. They were enchanted by the artist's storytelling and the beauty of his creations. The workshop, filled with gems and jewelry, seemed like a magical space where time stood still. Joseph's passion for his craft was evident in his words and gestures.

The Last Days

In the final years of his life, Joseph Ashkinazi's health deteriorated. His friends helped him with his workshop, and together they organized an exhibition titled "The Prophecy." The centerpiece of the exhibition was the "Rooster" ring, a mechanical, aggressive, and fiery piece symbolizing the retreat from God. The artwork portrayed a city being consumed by the whirlpool of time, yet life persisted as long as there was light.

A Farewell

In the last encounter with Joseph Ashkinazi, the narrator witnessed the unveiling of the "Prophecy" piece. The artist's hands, once burned and scarred, appeared clean and elegant. The treasures they had seen before now radiated with even greater beauty. As Joseph was carried away to his car, he jovially remarked, "Look how far I've come, being carried in my lifetime." The narrator whispered a goodbye, and Joseph, understanding her words, reached out and gently caressed her cheek.