Copley, Noma

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Noma Copley (born Norma Rathner, July 31, 1916 – February 22, 2006) was an American fine arts jeweler and art collector noted for her contributions to Surrealist practices and activities. From 1953 through 1968, she was married to William Copley and, with him, helped to acquire one of the largest collections of Surrealist paintings and sculpture in America. In 1954, they established the William and Noma Copley Foundation (subsequently renamed the Cassandra Foundation), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the creative arts.

After her divorce, Copley studied goldsmithing, and began a 25-year career as a fine arts jeweler. Characterized as “a surrealist for whom the displacement of the object is most important,” she was best known for works that represented ordinary objects such as zippers, buttons and pins and pencils that she cast in gold, as well incorporating the ancient art of granulation into contemporary works.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Marcia Tucker papers, 1918-2007, bulk 1957-2005 Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Copley, Noma. [Noma Copley] : artist file John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library, Ringling Museum Library
referencedIn Copley, Noma. [Noma Copley] : artist file John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library, Ringling Museum Library
creatorOf William and Noma Copley foundation and collection records, 1954-1980 Getty Research Institute
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Copley, Noma person
spouseOf Copley, William Nelson, 1919-1996 person
associatedWith The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Tucker, Marcia person
associatedWith William and Noma Copley Foundation corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Minneapolis MN US
Subject
Jewelers
Philanthropists
Surrealism
Occupation
Art collectors
Jewelers
Activity

Person

Birth 1916-07-31

Death 2006-02-22

Female

Americans

Information

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SNAC ID: 84221132