C. Leslie Smith Modernist Sterling Brooch, pre-1960 >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Remarkable and historically significant Modernist jewelry works from a list of who’s who 20th century studio jewelers of the United States and Denmark are available for purchase from purveyors Auerbach & Maffia in Pennsylvania. Their catalog is a rich treasure trove so I had a rather difficult time narrowing down which works to highlight here. You will quickly note I have a particular fondness for small scale wearable sculptures, aka brooches.
Beneath each photo there is a link to the corresponding Auerbach & Maffia page for more information and pricing. Also, where possible I have linked the artist’s name to their website or some manner of bio page. As mentioned in prior posts, I highly recommend the book Messengers of Modernism: American Studio Jewelry, 1940–1960 for those interested in learning more about American Modernist jewelry and the makers. The 1996 Messengers of Modernism exhibition catalogue is from a show of the same title which originated at the former Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts, published in association with Flammarion. The book unfortunately is out of print and can be pricey but it is still worth finding. I picked up my copy inexpensively a number of years ago and it remains one of my most prized books from my shared design library with my metalsmith husband.
Additional invaluable resources I recommend from my library are MODERNIST JEWELRY, 1930–1960: The Wearable Art Movement and FORM & FUNCTION American Modernist Jewelry, 1940–1970, both publications by Marbeth Schon. (Learn more on her website.) Also Marbeth is the editor of Modern Silver online magazine, “a resource for information about the historical jewelry movements that comprise what is loosely called ‘modern’ today, the artist craftsmen and women that spearheaded the studio movement, and the contemporary studio jewelry scene.”
Rare and Important Modernist Sterling Silver Brooch by Ed Wiener, 1947 >> more info
Messengers of Modernism: American Studio Jewelry, 1940–1960 (exhibition catalogue)
Photo © The Lake St. Louis Historical Society, Montreal
Modernist Brass Earrings by Art Smith, pre-1960 >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Modernist Sterling Brooch by Art Smith, c.1950s >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Sterling Brooch by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen (Denmark) , pre-1960 >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Sterling and Carnelian Modernist Necklace by Jane Wiberg (Denmark) >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Hammered Undulating Flat Band Modernist Sterling Bracelet by Ed Levin >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Abstract Modernist Sterling Brooch by Ed Levin, c.1950s >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
Modernist Free Form Sterling Brooch by Rebajes, 1950 >> more info
Photo © Auerbach & Maffia
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3 comments… read them below or add one
These items are so gorgeous! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for these books. I picked up a beautiful brooch a few months ago, still haven’t figured out who made it but I have my whole lifetime since I can’t see myself parting with it anyway :)
How fantastic your brooch find, Maarit! Sounds lovely, wish you good success learning the maker at some point. –Amy
I just got a copy of your book on modernist jewelry – it’s a wonderful resource! The biographies will be tremendously helpful.