Fusing eclectic influences such as Surrealism and African art, Art Smith was a leading mid-century modernist jeweler and one of the few African American designers to break into the field. His oversize geometric pieces with their innovative use of wire, silver forms, brass, aluminum, stone and glass elements were boldly sculptural yet lightweight, becoming popular in the 1940s and ’50s as expressive statements of adornment.
Born in Cuba to Jamaican parents, Smith moved as a child to Brooklyn, New York, in 1920. After showing an early aptitude for art, he earned a scholarship to study at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in Manhattan. He was especially inspired by the pioneering African American jeweler Winifred Mason, who hired Smith to work at her studio. There he witnessed how she engaged with West Indian folk art through bronze and copper.
After graduating, Smith opened his first shop in 1946 on Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village. Facing discrimination in the predominantly Italian area, he relocated to West Fourth Street where he would work until 1979. Smith developed relationships with stores like Bloomingdale’s as well as New York City’s vibrant Black cultural scene, from which his clients included Lena Horne and Duke Ellington. He also designed work for avant-garde Black dance companies such as those led by choreographers Talley Beatty and Pearl Primus and a brooch for Eleanor Roosevelt.
“The body is a component in design just as air and space are,” Smith once stated. Employing biomorphic shapes, he created works such as the Patina necklace that referenced Alexander Calder’s mobiles with its dangling silver cutouts as well as the Lava bracelet involving two layers of metal that undulate around the wrist.
Smith often used unconventional materials for fine jewelry that made it affordable to people beyond the elite, and he was a vocal advocate for Black and gay civil rights. In 2008, the Brooklyn Museum opened a retrospective of his work. His jewelry is included in the collections of major museums such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Find a collection of Art Smith jewelry on 1stDibs.
ART SMITH 1960 Sculptural Circles Dangle Earrings In .925 Sterling Silver
By Art Smith
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of geometric earrings designed by Art-Smith (1917–1982). This is fabulous and very rare pair of dangle earrings created in New York City by the artist and silversmith Arthur Ge...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$152
H 1.19 in W 0.48 in L 0.48 in
.925 Sterling Silver Miracle-Set Diamond Accent Drop and Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and timeless, these gorgeous sterling silver diamond dangle earrings feature natural, earth-mined diamonds set proudly at the center of the circular embellishment at the hear...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
1 CT Moissanite Earrings 925 Sterling Silver 2 Stone Moissanite Dangle Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
1 CT Moissanite Earrings 925 Sterling Silver 2 Stone Moissanite Dangle Earrings A P P R O X T I M E All items are custom made to order. Our approx time is about 6 - 10 business da...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$885 / item
H 1.07 in W 0.2 in L 0.6 in
.925 Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Gemstone and Diamond Accent Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These mesmeric blue topaz and diamond earrings is a sweet illumination for her ears. Styled in luminous sterling silver these ravishing earrings is jeweled with a large cushion cut b...
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Rose Quartz Dangle Earrings - 925 Briolette Pierced
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: Sterling Silver Stone Information Natural Rose Quartz Cut: Briolette Color: Light Pink Style: Dangle Fastening Type: Fishhook Closures Measurements Tall: 1 9/16" ...
Quartz, Sterling Silver
$655
H 0.91 in W 0.16 in L 0.36 in
.925 Sterling Silver Amethyst & Diamond Halo with Push Back Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully express your love for her with these radiant amethyst and diamond earrings. Crafted in luminous sterling silver these earrings features 2 centrally staged 8MM cushion cut...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
$150Sale Price / set|50% Off
W 0.29 in D 0.16 in L 1.5 in
Silvorra Handcrafted Amethyst Vine Motif Dangle Earrings in 925 Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
These handcrafted 925 sterling silver dangle earrings feature a graceful vine motif adorned with 20 natural amethyst gemstones in mixed shapes. The amethysts range in size from 6 x 7...
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
$460 / item
H 1.07 in W 0.52 in L 0.83 in
-925 Sterling Silver Natural Purple Amethyst and Diamond Drop & Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your elegance with these exquisite drop and dangle earrings, crafted from the finest .925 sterling silver. These earrings feature a delicate cascade of interlocking links ad...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
$275 / set
H 1.97 in W 0.48 in L 2.13 in
Graduation Pink Zircon Partywear Fashion Dangle Earrings in 925 Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
Graduation Pink Zircon Partywear Fashion Dangle Earrings in sterling silver. You shall need these dangle earrings to make a statement with your look. Each piece features dazzling cub...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Art Deco style sterling silver 925 marcasite enamel dangle earrings
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • stamped 925 • sterling silver with marcasites and inlay of enamel • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal ...
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Vintage Art Deco style sterling silver 925 marcasite enamel dangle earrings
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • stamped 925 • sterling silver with marcasites and inlay of enamel • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • 1 1/2" by 3/4" CONDITION • very good vintage condit...
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Vintage Art Deco style sterling silver 925 marcasite pierced dangle earrings
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • stamped 925 • sterling silver with marcasites • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sk...
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Vintage Art Deco style sterling silver 925 marcasite enamel dangle earrings
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • stamped 925 • sterling silver with marcasites and inlay of enamel • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal ...
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Rare Art Smith American Modernist Copper and Brass Kinetic Earrings 1950s
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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" ...
Brass, Copper
Art Smith Modernist Mobile Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in New York, NY
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...
Brass
Vintage Modernist Art Smith Silver Chandelier Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Stamford, CT
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...
Sterling Silver
Art Smith Copper Kinetic Mobile New York Modernist Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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...
Copper
Art Smith Sterling Silver Abstract Modernist Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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 ...
Sterling Silver
Art Smith Copper Brass American Modernist Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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, Copper
Art Smith Brass American Modernist Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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...
Brass
Art Smith Studio Brass American Modernist Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
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...
Brass
Art Smith Studio Sterling Silver Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Arched sterling silver earrings with counter balance bead by Art Smith of New York City circa 1950's. Screwback earrings measure 2.5" x 1.75" and are signed Art Smith. In very good...
Sterling Silver
Important ART SMITH Brass Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of oxidized brass earrings by Arthur Smith of Brooklyn, New York. Art Smith was an African American who opened his first shop on Cornelia Street...
ART SMITH Studio Jeweler Copper Brass Kinetic Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of brass and copper earrings designed and created by Art Smith of New York. Earrings are jointed and have movement. They measure 2 1/4" in length. Unsigned and in excel...
Art Smith Coiled Earrings
By Art Smith
Located in Darnestown, MD
These coiled earrings are by esteemed mid century Greenwich Village jeweler, Art Smith. They are wonderfully three dimensional. The earrings are made of ...