Maria Pergay (1930 - 2024)

Maria Pergay was a Moldovan-born designer, born in 1930. Ten years after arriving in Paris, she enrolled at the Institution des Hautes Études Cinématographiques (IHEC) and attended the workshop of artist Ossip Zadkine.

Maria Pergay’s creations oscillate between past splendors and contemporary brilliance. From her first large stylized birds for the window display of shoemaker Durer to the decoration of Claude Tabet’s boutique, her work evolved toward softer forms and more sensual curves.

In 1957, she created silver candelabras for Hennessy cognacs, marking the beginning of a collection of silverware.  This was the moment her love for metal was born. She quickly developed a range of stainless steel objects, followed by a furniture collection. While the Jansen company commissioned her work, Pierre Cardin, a leading figure in the futuristic trend, acquired her entire collection.

By 1960, when she opened her store on Place des Vosges, Maria Pergay was already recognized by her peers as a designer of exceptional sensitivity, offering innovative solutions while paying close attention to technological craftsmanship. Her refined creations allowed her to work with an elite clientele. Conceived as monumental pieces of silverware, her works captivated the Saudi royal family, among others.

Balancing delicacy and expressive power, Maria Pergay’s works seamlessly blend dreamlike artistry with sophistication.