Margaret de Patta – Modernist Art Jewelry, 1930s–1960s.

Brooch, 1959
Forged sterling with ball of crystal, oxidized and engraved areas
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Margaret de Patta (1903–1964) was a studio jewelry trailblazer. The first contemporary jeweler on the West Coast, she drew on the Modern art movement for inspiration, particularly Constructivism and Bauhaus design. Ms. de Patta developed entirely new concepts in working with gemstones and created unique cuts that had not been utilized before. A founding member of the Metal Arts Guild of San Francisco, de Patta also produced designs for ceramics and flatware. Her work is housed in a number of museums. Oakland Museum of California sums up de Patta’s work quite nicely, “…miniature sculpture that moved with its wearer”.

>> Margaret de Patta Studio Jewelry flickr set

[ ©Margaret de Patta. All images sourced from Craft Horizons March/April 1965 ]

Brooch, c. late 1940s
Sterling with onyx and agate; the two circles, which pivot, are set with colored stones

Neckpiece, c. 1954–1960
Enclosed precious stones and gem plaques within crystal

Ring, c. late 1940s
White gold setting with a small piece of onyx at the base of a large crystal

Pendant, c. late 1940s
Yellow gold, onyx with rutilated quartz

Brooch, c. 1954–1960
Sterling with rock crystal, engraved and partly colored black

Bracelet, c. 1930s
Forged sterling; one of de Patta’s earliest pieces

Brooch, 1940
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See/learn more:
Oakland Museum of California
Mobilia Gallery
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Sandi Vincent grew up in the bay area of California surrounded by mid-century modern architecture and other influences responsible for her affinity for the period and its pop style, including her early exposure to The Monkees, The Avengers and Gerald McBoing-Boing. Sandi now resides in Portland and is a board member of a local nonprofit preservation group, the Mid-Century Modern League. In her day job at a community foundation, she sports the web/social media/print materials coordinator title.

Follow Sandi on Twitter > @SandiV
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