Oppi Untracht was an American master metalsmith, educator, and writer. Born in New York City, Untracht obtained his Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University

Columbia University

Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...

 in 1947. Originally trained as a photographer, he studied Indian arts and crafts and later became an expert on the jewelry of India and Nepal. In addition to being an honorary member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths

Society of North American Goldsmiths

The Society of North American Goldsmiths was founded in 1969. It is an international nonprofit organization that serves as the primary organization of jewelers and metal artists in North America. Anyone interested in the related fields may become a member...

, in 2000 Untracht was awarded a Lifetime American Achievement Award on behalf of the American Craft Council

American Craft Council

The American Craft Council , was founded in 1943 as a national, nonprofit, educational organization to support and foster interest in the crafts in America. The council sponsers national craft shows, publishes American Craft magazine, and has an extensive awards program...

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