c.1950s SEAMAN SCHEPPS Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Yellow Gold,14k Gold
- Weight:43.1 g
- Dimensions:Height: 2.25 in (57.15 mm)Width: 2 in (50.8 mm)
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1950-1959
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:
Seaman Schepps
A scrappy, self-made artist who transformed turbo shells into decadent earrings and crystal chessmen into bold bracelets, Seaman Schepps (1881–1972) tirelessly worked his way up from the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side to become “America’s Court Jeweler.”
Born to immigrant parents who named him for the Seamen’s Bank for Savings that his mother could see from the hospital — or so the legend goes — Schepps dropped out of school at the age of 14 and never had any formal jewelry training. He later moved to California, where he opened his first jewelry shop in 1904. In 1921, he returned to New York to build on the success he’d begun to enjoy as a jeweler on the West Coast, but it wasn’t long before his Manhattan house, which counted Broadway stars and theater patrons among its clientele, was hit hard by the stock market crash of 1929. Schepps used this disruption to rethink his approach to jewelry, debuting a new store in 1934 on Madison Avenue, where he would make his mark in playful custom adornments.
While many high-end jewelers of his era focused on the purest and most valuable gemstones, Schepps chose his materials for their color and shape, elevating flawed stones others disregarded in collage-like formations involving unconventional materials such as fine wood, coral, seashells and flea-market finds. Passersby of his New York City shop could find a frog-shaped brooch carved from rosewood, a vintage snuff bottle broken into links for a bracelet and loose-drilled pearls plugged with diamonds. Schepps’s whimsical pieces found fans in fashion icons who appreciated his unique statements, including Doris Duke, Andy Warhol and the Duchess of Windsor.
Following Schepps’s death in 1972, his daughter, jewelry designer Patricia S. Vaill, ran the jewelry house for two decades before it was taken over by Jay Bauer and Anthony Hopenhajm of Trianon jewelry. Following the closure of the company’s Park Avenue store in November 2020, sales for Seaman Schepps is now based in its boutique location out of Palm Beach, Florida, where the legendary brand carries forth its founder’s spirited designs.
On 1stDibs, find a distinctive collection of vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry, including brooches, bracelets and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Seaman Schepps Chalcedony Pearl Yellow Gold Seahorse Brooch PinBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA beautiful Seahorse brooch by Seaman Schepps. Made of carved chalcedony and 18k yellow gold, featuring pearl. Stamped with Seaman Schepps maker's mark, a hallmark for 18k gold and a serial number. Measurements: 2" H x 1 1/4" W. The weight is 25.9 grams. About the designer Applying unconventional materials in jewelry making have been a signature of Seaman Schepps style. Since 1940s, such media as exotic wood, shell, rock crystal along with the precious stones have found a perfect place in the whimsical Schepps creations. Most of the time his pieces are chunky and featuring oversized details. The brand has specialized in making massive bangles, large curbside link necklaces and sculptural brooches. Vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry...Category
Vintage 1970s Brooches
MaterialsChalcedony, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Coral Emerald Diamond Yellow Gold Cat Pin Brooch Clip, French, 1950sLocated in Beverly Hills, CALovely joyful cat clip created in France in the 1950s. Fun and articulated, the brooch is definitely a conversational piece. Colorful and wearable, the clip is a great addition to yo...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Emerald, Onyx, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Yellow Gold Sputnik Pin Brooch Clip with Diamond Sapphire Ruby, French, 1950sLocated in Beverly Hills, CAInspired by the first sputnik launched in 1957, this colorful clip was created in France in the 1950s. Colorful and wearable, the pin gives a stylish accent to any outfit and is a gr...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1950s Cartier Gold Grape Leaf Earrings and Clip Brooch Pin SetBy CartierLocated in Beverly Hills, CAFrench chic Grape Leaf set consisting of a clip and a pair of earrings was created by Cartier in the 1950's. It makes a tasteful accent to any outfit. The pin is made of 14 karat (...Category
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Turquoise Yellow Gold Pin BroochLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA vintage 14k yellow gold and turquoise comma shaped brooch. Oval cabochon cut turquoise are mounted in prongs setting. Measurements: 2" W x 1 3/8" H. Weight is 15.3 grams.Category
Vintage 1970s Brooches
MaterialsTurquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Lapis Lazuli Seed Pearl Yellow Gold Pin Brooch Clip EuropeanLocated in Beverly Hills, CAFabulous Victorian pin, created in Europe on the turn of the 19th century. Well proportioned and wearable, the brooch is a great addition to your jewelry collection. Made of 15 kara...Category
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1960s Seaman Schepps GIA Aquamarine Diamond 18 Karat Gold Brooch PinBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Miami, FLThis Vintage 1960's Seaman Schepps lapel brooch of natural inspiration weighing 19.35 grams exposes a GIA certified octagonal step-cut natural beryl very fine aquamarine weighing approx. 45.29 carats and measuring 23.76 x 21.44 x 12.98 mm, set within a yellow gold basket-shape frame. The prominent azure gemstone is embellished with botanic motif leaves and stems, with round-faceted diamonds simulating enchanting buds, weighing approx. 0.90 carats, graded G-H color and VS clarity. The reverse features double pins of identical length with rotating locks, bearing the designer's name Seaman Schepps on the hinged cylinder This designer lapel brooch remains in excellent condition. Pin Measurement: 40mm x 30mm Accompanied by GIA Aquamarine...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Seaman Schepps Pearl and Diamond Gold BroochBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDElegant Retro broch by Seaman Schepps from the mid-20th century. The floral brooch is set in 14 karat gold, an indication of its age. Schepps did not change to the use of 18 karat go...Category
Mid-20th Century American Retro Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Turquoise Shell 14k gold BroochBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Surfside, FLSeaman Schepps iconic turquoise shell design brooch with signature 14k twisted gold threads accenting the curves of the carved composite turquoise. 1.75 inches by 2 inches.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Materials14k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Diamond, Crystal BroochBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYAn exquisite brooch by Seam Schepps, crafted as a carved crystal with brilliant diamond accents mounted in 18k white gold, signed Seaman Schepps. Appr...Category
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Pearl Diamond BroochBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYSeaman Schepps brooch; marked Seaman Schepps Three baroque south sea pearls, round-cut diamonds of approximately 6 carats, platinum Dimensions:...Category
20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Platinum
- Seaman Schepps Aquamarine, Diamond BroochBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYSeaman Schepps aquamarine, diamond and" synthetic ruby" brooch in platinum and base metal. Circa 1945. The brooch features rectangluar step cut aqua...Category
Mid-20th Century American Retro Brooches
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, Platinum