Alphonse La Paglia (1907-1953), was born in Sicily, according to "Silver in American Life" (Yale University, 1979) he studied silversmithing with Georg Jensen in Denmark. LaPaglia emerged in the U.S. in the early 1940's, designing and creating jewelry for the firm of Frederick Lunning (Georg Jensen USA Inc.), he also worked independently crafting jewelry and holloware in his Summit, New Jersey workshop.
In 1952, La Paglia established a working relationship with the International Silver Company. Under their auspices, he moved his workshop to Meriden, Connecticut and formed the International Sterling Craft Associates. There, with just a handful of assistants, he created modernist Danish inspired holloware and jewelry that was retailed by International.
Alphonse La Paglia died of a heart attack at the age of 46 in 1953. The rights to his designs became the property of International and were continued in production. The International Sterling Craft Associates continued on under the directorship of Kurt Eric Christoffersen until
c.1957.
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