Maria Pergay was born in Moldavie in 1930 and emigrated to Paris in 1937. In 1947, she studied at L’Idhec as well as the atelier of Zadkine. Pgay began her career in the late 1950s by making forged iron pieces studded with semi-precious stones and seashells for window display for fashion houses including Claude Tabet and Hugonet.
Her success quickly grew and, within a few years, she began to create a unique collection of contemporary silver objects. In 1968, Pergay exhibited a collection of stainless steel furniture at Galerie Maison et Jardin. She was one of the first to work in this material and her pieces were known for their jewelry-like refinement and sculptural qualities.