Page 80 - Sotheby's New York Chinese Jade Auction September 13, 2018

Property from

THE LIZZADRO COLLECTION

when, having noted the inadequate condition of traffc lights in
north-eastern Illinois, Joseph secured a contract for his company to
maintain them for the state. This contract was followed by others for
street lighting, and pumping stations, as well as a range of contracts
for steel and oil companies.

In 1932, Joseph married Mary Sandretto (1910-2001), and the couple
had six children, necessitating a move to a larger house in Elmhurst,
Illinois, in 1939. Mary had been born and brought up in the
Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan, where Joseph and his family
enjoyed regular visits. It was here that Joseph began collecting stones
- especially Lake Superior agate (often characterised by alternate red
and white banding), thomsonite (a zeolite mineral often with attractive
concentric rings of contrasting colours), and datolite (a granular
mineral, which can be almost transparent). These he learned to cut and
polish to make jewelry for his family and friends. This was the start of
his introduction to the art of the lapidary.
Joseph’s new hobby brought him relaxation, and it introduced him
to a subject of immense diversity. He not only cut stones himself, he
also began to collect the work of other lapidaries from widely ranging
geographical regions and temporal periods. Joseph acquired his frst
Chinese jade carving, a small hanging vase, in the late 1930s with the
intent of cutting it into pieces for jewelry. In the United States at the time
it was nearly impossible to obtain rough jade, but jade carvings were fairly
plentiful and could be acquired for relatively modest sums. They were
therefore often purchased by amateur lapidaries and re-cut. In the case
of the Chinese hanging vase, however, Joseph discovered that his respect
and admiration for the skill of the original carver prevented him from re-
cutting this piece of jade. Thus began his lifelong passion and fascination
Joseph F. Lizzadro (1898-1972). with Chinese jade and hardstone carvings.

While Joseph’s frst love was jade, he appreciated the Chinese artisan’s skills
in carving other materials such as amber, agate, aquamarine and tourmaline,
he Lizzadro Collection is a rare assemblage of fne jade carvings
and he was able to acquire many outstanding carvings in these various
Tamassed by one man. Joseph F. Lizzadro (1898–1972) was
materials. He continued to collect until his death. As his collection grew, so
Italian by birth, but in the early 1900s he emigrated with his father to
did Joseph’s desire to create a venue to showcase his many treasures and, as he
the United States. His father was a shoe maker and set up a cobbler’s
put it: to ‘share with others our enjoyment of the eternal beauty in gem stones
shop in the city of Chicago, Illinois. He was soon able to bring
and our appreciation of the art with which man has complemented the work
the rest of the family to the United States. As a young man Joseph
of nature’. His dream was realized on November 4, 1962, when the Lizzadro
worked in his father’s shop, but he also went to school, studied hard,
Museum of Lapidary Art opened its doors to the public in Elmhurst’s
and became an American citizen.
Wilder Park. Appropriately the museum building is designed to resemble a
jewel box in the park setting. The collection continues to grow under the
In 1916, Joseph took a job as a laborer with Meade Electric
discerning eye of his son, John Lizzadro, Sr., who shares his father’s passion
Company, which operated a retail appliance store and converted gas
for Chinese carving. The museum now houses several hundred pieces of
lighting to electricity. This was to remain the focus of his working
jade and other hardstones, including pieces of international importance.
life. Through dedication and hard work, he was successively
It also displays exhibits explaining the evolution of these stones, especially
promoted and eventually became a company stockholder. Such
jade, while also celebrating the art of the lapidary - ‘What a true lapidary
were his abilities, that on the death of the company’s founder in 1929
artist needs is an eye for beauty, originality, and excellent craftsmanship.
he was appointed Chairman of the Board, a post he held until his
Equipment helps of course, but advances in lapidary art have come about
death in 1972. His perspicacity and enterprise brought the company
largely through the talent and dedication of people throughout the years who
considerable prosperity, as was demonstrated in the early 1940s,
chose stones as the medium of their art’.