Notes

Tessa Fleischer initially pursued a career in the performing arts but transitioned to jewellery and silversmithing after her marriage to sculptor Michael Fleischer.

Under his tutelage, she learned metalworking and soon established herself as a jeweller exhibiting alongside other prominent South-African jewellery designers, such as Peter Cullman and Margaret Richardson. Fleischer and her contemporaries embraced the concept of jewellery as 'wearable art' rather than just adornment, a movement which paralleled global trends.

Fleischer predominantly used copper and silver, sometimes combined with agate or other semi-precious stones, blending metalwork techniques with bold, sculptural elements to create a signature style with a strong modernist aesthetic.

A particularly notable work is the crosier (staff of office) she crafted for Bishop Desmond Tutu's inauguration which combined tambotie wood and sterling silver.