With her playfully bold, nature-inspired pieces, Angela Cummings has left a lasting mark on the world of jewelry design. Full of movement and sensational color, her eye-catching collar necklaces, stud earrings and bracelets continue to be favored by red-carpet celebrities and tastemakers the world over.
Cummings was born in Austria in 1944, during a time when her country was being torn apart by war. At the age of three her family moved to America, where she was raised. Returning to her native country as an adult, Cummings studied art in Perugia, Italy, then went on to study jewelry design in Hanau, West Germany. She graduated with a degree in gemology, goldsmithing and jewelry design from Zeichenakademie in 1967.
Cummings returned to the United States after finishing her studies. She marched into legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. in New York City and asked for a job. Under the mentorship of Donald Claflin, a designer who’d previously worked for David Webb, Cummings became a respected in-house designer for the brand. Her named collection, Angela Cummings Exclusively for Tiffany & Co., debuted in 1974.
Cummings created sumptuous 18K gold accessories that were inlaid with coral, opal, mother-of-pearl, jade and lapis lazuli. Not unlike the work of Elsa Peretti, who signed an exclusive contract with Tiffany & Co. in 1974, Cummings’ designs — seashell necklaces, maple leaf pendants — drew on the shapes and forms of the natural world.
As her style continued to develop, Cummings integrated silver, precious gemstones and platinum into her work, creating exquisite juxtapositions by mixing the materials with wood and iron. Her pieces increasingly featured more movement-inspired elements — curling vines, crashing waves and billowing cloud forms — that hearkened to the rhythms of nature.
In 1982, People magazine featured Cummings' jewelry and the publicity launched her into the spotlight. Two years later, she established her own business, Angela Cummings Inc., and began to experiment with abstraction in her work, as well as allowing her surroundings in Japan, where she opened several boutiques, to inspire her adornments.
Cummings retired in 2003, making a brief comeback in 2013 to collaborate with Assael Jewelry, for which she created an exclusive line of cultured pearl jewelry.
Find vintage Angela Cummings earrings, necklaces, brooches and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Tiffany & Co. 'Modern Shell' Pattern Hollow Handle Bar Knife by Angela Cummings
By Tiffany & Co., Angela Cummings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed vintage designer bar knife. By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co. In the 'Modern Shell' pattern. In sterling silver with a hollow handle with in the form of a shell o...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Crystal Champagne Flutes Glasses, Pair
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Tiffany and Co. Champagne flutes/glasses, circa late-20th century. A beautiful pair from luxury American company Tiffany and Co. Markers' mark on bottom of both 'Tiffany an...
Crystal
Set of Four Translucent Crystal Brandy Snifter by Tiffany & Co.
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning set of four brandy snifters were realized by the fabled American company Tiffany & Co. They feature circular bases; cylindrical stems (that flare slightly at their apex...
Crystal
Tiffany Silver Spirit Flask
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A large American silver spirit flask, by Tiffany & Co., circa 1880, Edward C Moore era, one side chased with hunting scenes, the reverse with cartouche on...
Silver
$2,500 / set
H 5.25 in Dm 4 in
Pair of Tiffany American Modern Classical Sterling Silver Chalice Goblets
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Modern Classical sterling silver chalice goblets. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1960. Deep and wide-hemispheric bowl on knopped upward tapering stem flowing into rais...
Sterling Silver
$1,800 / set
H 9 in Dm 9 in
Collection of Tiffany Crystal in the Rock Cut Pattern, Ice Bucket and Much More
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of Tiffany crystal in the rock cut pattern. Ice bucket, five large bowls, five smaller bowls and five plates.
Crystal
Post-Modern Stainless Steel Bar Set by Michael Graves
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice post-modern stainless steel bar tool set by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The set is in good vintage condition and measures 6.5"W x 8.25"D x 1"H. The set includes cocktail ...
Stainless Steel
Very Rare Tall Sterling Silver-Mounted Tiffany & Co. Decanter
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Very rare, tall, sterling silver-mounted Tiffany & Co. "wheel-cut" glass decanter (Glass is signed Stevens & Williams, founder of Steuben Glass in 1903; silver mount is signed Tiffan...
Sterling Silver
$165
H 0.25 in W 0.625 in D 8.25 in
Mid-Century Modernist Sterling Silver Bar Knife signed Tiffany & Co.
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and minimal Mid-Century Modernist Sterling Silver Bar Knife signed Tiffany & Co. originates from the United States, Circa 1960. This highly functional piece features a b...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver / Gilt Punch Bowl Service / 8 People
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver / gilt barware / tableware art deco style punch bowl service for eight people . The set include 10 piece altogether. Eight drinking cup. One large punch bowl. One serving ladle. Each piece is in great condition. Minor wear / oxidation consistent with age & use. Maker's mark undersigned on each piece. The punch bowl...
Gold, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Tiffany & Co Dinner Knife
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver and stainless-steel Tiffany & Co. dinner knife, circa 20th century. Marked 'Tiffany & Co.' on blade as shown in images. Handle is sterling silver in the 'Reeded Edg...
Silver, Stainless Steel
Sterling Silver and Crystal Flask, Tiffany and Co., 1893
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver and crystal flask, Tiffany and Co., 1893. Decorated with aquatic motifs, including waves and bubbles Made for the 1893 Chicago World's ...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Vintage Libbey Glass Co., Cane Pattern, Highball Glasses
By Libbey Glass Co.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight mid-century Libbey Glass Co., highball glasses, the lower half with raised enamel "cane" in natural color, the top edge of the glass is also enam...
Glass