I recently purchased a Laruccia copper and glass tree on the internet. From the style, it appears to be an early version from the mid 1960s. I had never seen the branching structure that this piece has. Smaller copper cable was joined to make a three-forked branching for the glass fruit. Since it was unpolished, that also helps to place it in that time frame. It is about 8" high and in great shape, like new condition.
Laruccia was an active sculptor from about 1962-1974. His studio was in Orange, California, in an oversized studio cottage. He worked primairly with copper but employed other metals, semi precious stones, acrylics, cast exotic cements and chemical compounds. After his move back to Queens, NY, he worked primarily in graphics but was not active on the art scene.
I am an active collector of Laruccia works, please contact me if you have one of his pieces and would like more information.
In Copper We Trust
Michael Hutchings, Coppersmith
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