Biographical Notes & History of Rudolf Heltzel
Born in Berlin, Germany
Studied at Meisterschule für das Kunsthandwerk Berlin, Jewellery and Silversmithing Design and Production
Worked with Max Olofs, as a silversmith in Munich Germany, making baptismal fonts, tabernacles, chalices, and other ecclesiastical items
Worked with Sigurd Person (1914-2003) in Stockholm, Sweden, first as a silversmith, then as a jeweller. Person was one of the most influential goldsmiths and industrial designers in Scandinavia in the 1950s and 1960s
Recruited by Córas Tráchtála/Irish Export Board to establish a Silver and Metal Workshop at the newly created Kilkenny Design Workshop [KDW], where he also trained many Irish jewellers
Opened Rudolf Heltzel Ltd., Kilkenny. Independent designer and maker of jewellery hollowear with a studio in Kilkenny which continues to the present day
International Consultant to jewellery development and production programmes in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Jordan, Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan
Board Member of Crafts Council Ireland
Worked with Tirnanog Ltd., Northern Ireland as a Production Director, lectured in the Fine Arts department at Queen’s University Belfast
Worked with Esmere Ltd and Avon Arlington Ireland as a Jewellery and Design Consultant
Designed and produced Exhibition celebrating 50 years of Rudolf Heltzel “RUDOLF HELTZEL: In Precious Metal”, National Design & Craft Gallery, Castle Yard, Kilkenny, Ireland
“RUDOLF HELTZEL: In Precious Metal”, The State Apartment Galleries, Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland
