Art Smith Jewelry

Rare, American modernist copper and brass kinetic earrings created by Arthur Smith, circa 1950s. Screwback earrings create a soft chime when worn. The measure 2" in length by .75" ...

American Art Smith hand-crafted this modern asymmetrical cuff from roughly finished semi-precious layered metals in his early signature style including sculptural wires and gaps. On the top of the bracelet that displays Smith's dynamic artistry, thick brass square-shaped wires unevenly separate into curves to create voids for revealing skin when worn on the wrist. To both minimally decorate the cuff with geometric shapes and solidify its structure, Smith spanned only one side of the gap with four angular-cut pieces from sheets of sterling silver, copper and brass, which are evenly spaced with narrow gaps. As the rod-like framework of the rest of the cuff, the brass wire was folded/joined at the ends with minute silver soldering only visible on the interior. A testament to Smith's craftsmanship, the contrasting cut metals are soldered precisely to the top outer edges of each sinuous wire instead of wrapped around, which enables the bottom edges of the wires to make smooth contact with the skin and to be easier to flex for pulling on and off. Additionally, Smith finished, lacquered, buffed and polished the exterior bracelet to protect the patinated metallic colors from tarnishing. On the unfinished interior, this cuff may have been signed by Art Smith with a stylized initial A and/or his name in cursive given some apparently linked dark marks in two different areas of the brass wire (see closeups), which may otherwise indicate good condition consistent with age and scratching from wear. In light of similarly constructed curvilinear designs by Smith in the 1940s, the cuff seems to have been created while he was making the transition while living in Manhattan's Greenwich Village from being mentored full-time by fellow Black jewelry designer Winifred Mason...

Art Smith Modernist Mobile Earrings in brass from the 1950's. Athough unsigned, this is a well recognized design of his (see Brooklyn Museum Collection) and the metal earring fixtures are correct as well. Designed as Art for your face, these mini moving sculptures...

Rare sterling silver Modernist cufflinks, circa 1960, by renowned Greenwich Village artist Art Smith, these sculptural cufflinks are fabricated without solder, front measures 1" x 5/...

Signed Art Smith, modernist silver earrings are whimsical, highly unusual, and great fun to wear. Yes, they do homage to Calder who was an influence. I admit I sneak them out of in...

Copper mobile screw back earrings created by Art Smith of New York City, New York. Smith worked in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, running a shop there from 1946 until 1979 just bef...

Circa 1960s very scarce Modernist Sterling Silver brooch by Art Smith, measuring 2 X 2 inch.

Sterling silver modernist screw back earrings by Art Smith of New York, New York. Earrings resemble abstract cat forms and measure 1" in length by 3/4" in height. Signed Art Smith ...

Pair of patinated copper and textured brass screwback earrings created by Art Smith of New York, New York. Earrings measure 2" by 1 1/2" and are signed Art Smith on verso. In very ...

Brass modernist earrings created by Art Smith of New York City, New York. Earrings are of the screw back variety and measure 1 3/8" by 1 1/8" and are signed Art Smith on v...

Arthur Smith oxidized brass bracelet entitled "Icicle", circa 1950's. Bracelet measures 3 3/4" wide and has an approximate circumference of 7" including gap and fits an average sized wrist. Art Smith was an African American who opened his first shop on Cornelia Street...

A pair of 1950's curled brass earrings created by Art smith of New York City, New York. Earrings are of the screw back variety and measure 1 7/8" in length and are 1" at their wides...