Robert Lee Morris

Created during the accessory frenzy of the mid 1980's, Robert Lee Morris was creating up a storm of gold plated brass and silver jewelry for his collaborations with Donna Karan. This...

The epitome of the iconic style and the aged Wabi Sabi look of Robert Lee Morris, this dart necklace was created in the early stages of Morris' career, 1982. Morris had already won t...

Created in 1986, as part of a huge family of egg themed jewelry, this is part of the Wabi Sabi collection. A blend of oxidized brass and copper the simplicity of this design is part of its dramatic charm. Individually constructed hollow ovalized components hang from a chain separated by copper beads. The coloration of this piece is warm and non conventional, typical of the breaking of new ground Morris accomplished with his fashion jewelry. Wabi Sabi is the Japanese term that means aged, used, worn, filled with character and spirit through use, old, spirited, and Robert Lee Morris loves it. So much of his jewelry has the Wabi Sabi quality, which is the opposite of glitz and sparkly bling so associated with jewelry in the first place. Morris spent 4 years living in Japan as a child, his father a USAF officer and pilot, and was very inspired by the beauty of traditional Japanese aesthetic and culture. Therefore one can see this exemplified in the colors of the metal and materials he uses; tarnished and oxidized brass, copper bronze and sometimes even darkened silver. The occasional use of leather or Elk skin...

This khaki color of brass is one of the most desired colors and tones that Donna Karan asked Robert Lee Morris to create for many of her runway shows. This massive wide collar is lik...

This very large and bold brooch, (5"x3") is a life size face mask, created by molding warm wax onto a mannequin face and casting it in brass, and then plated in 24k gold. The pinback is a double pin to secure the substantial metal onto fabric safely. The Robert Lee Morris mask was taken from the mannequin fashioned after the famous model Sayoko Yamaguchi, so there is an unusual Asian feel to this piece. There are two rings that come off the sides of the mask if one wanted to wear this as a necklace using ribbon or cord. A very dramatic fashion accessory, this piece of jewelry is also a free standing sculpture, elegant lying on a coffee table or desk as art. This mask was created in 1982 when Robert was working with the fabulous Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto and Sayoko was his constant companion. The mask itself seems very relevant again as the trend in oversized high fashion gold accessories coming out of Paris these days is being influenced by Daniel Roseberry...

Robert Lee Morris Runway Collection All Gold Charm Bracelet for Donna Karan, created for a resort show in 1987. This spectacular runway bauble, is a splash of gold bubbles, large and dangling off a wide roll chain bracelet. the gold plated brass is so rich and massed together in this quantity of large rounded beads gives this piece an extra opulent look. There is a simple toggle clasp, and at 8" long was made to go over gloves and hang low below the cuff level of a coat sleeve. The gold beads are different shapes, pears, balls and watermelon shapes, giving the piece a whimsical nature. This is sheer glitzy glamour, bold and brave, it is meant for the ultra stylish and classic wardrobe.

Occult symbols from ancient books of magic were the inspiration behind this fabulous Robert Lee Morris charm bracelet. Robert Lee Morris created this mysterious and fun piece during the early 1990's after a visit to Ireland and the Hebrides Islands...

This very simple but strong shape, called a Gong, is gold plated brass, and is 3 inches diameter, a nice size for wearing on a jacket or coat. The way the disc comes to a point, like a classic Coolie hat, is subtle but distinctive. Created in the mid 1980's as part of the huge trend in fashion for Bold Gold jewelry...