Intarsia Cufflinks

Intarsia cufflinks with a malachite center, opal band and lapis outer edges by lapidary artist Nicolai Medvedev set in 18k yellow gold.

Beginning his formal art training at the age of twelve, Medvedev continued for fourteen years, including several years of impressionist painting at the prestigious Art Institute of Moscow. An interest in central Asian jewelry, with its inlays and gemstone overlays, and the Fabergé-style craftsmanship he discovered at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg led him to try his hand at intarsia. Since immigrating to the United States in 1980, he has focused entirely on intarsia, developing a unique approach. He is now widely considered to be one of the world's premier intarsia artists.

Because intarsia involves such a high degree of intricacy and is created on such a small scale, the amount of concentration and time involved in producing one piece is incredible. Though usually working on several pieces at once, Medvedev averages a few months of work on a smaller box while a larger box may take him up to two years to complete.

Medvedev's art has been displayed extensively, including exhibits at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Chicago, and the Gems and Minerals Hall of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. His talent and work is recognized by collectors worldwide and his beautiful objects can be found in private collections including those of several royal families.