Art Smith Mid-Century Modernist Silver Brooch
View Similar Items
Art Smith Mid-Century Modernist Silver Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Sterling Silver
- Dimensions:Width: 2 in (50.8 mm)Length: 2 in (50.8 mm)
- Style:Modernist
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU943231633
Art Smith
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.
- Georg Jensen Denmark Mid-Century Modernist #167 Sterling Silver Cuff BraceletBy Georg JensenLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1960 Georg Jensen Denmark #167 Mid Century Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet, measuring 1 3/4 inches wide with an inside wrist measurement of 7 1/2 inches with a 1 1/4 inch wide o...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Modernist Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Georg Jensen Yellow Gold Modernist Brooch by Nana DitzelBy Georg Jensen and Nanna DitzelLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1960s Nana Ditzel Designed for Georg Jensen 18k Yellow Gold Modernist design Brooch, measuring 1 5/8 X 1 1/2 inches. Excellent, near unworn...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Modernist Brooches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Tiffany & Company Silver Gold and Lapis Starfish BroochBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Chicago, ILCirca 1990 Tiffany & Company Sterling Silver Starfish Brooch, measuring 2 inches in diameter, an 18k Yellow Gold bezel set with a Lapis Lazuli. Comes in original Gift Box.Category
1990s American Brooches
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Gold, Silver
- Original High Art Nouveau Yellow and Green Gold BroochLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1910 18k Yellow and Green Gold Art Nouveau Brooch, in a very stylized period theme of A beautiful flowing haired woman, surrounded by different th...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
- Henry Dunay Sterling and 18k Gold Elephant BroochBy Henry DunayLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1990s Henry Dunay Elephant Brooch, measuring 1 1/8 X 1 1/8 inches, nicely detailed and finished. A hard to find and desirable piece from Dunay, ex...Category
1990s American Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver, 18k Gold
- Black Star & Frost Art Deco Large Crystal Platinum and Gem Set BroochLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1930s Black Star & Frost Art Deco Brooch, A circular frosted Crystal measuring 1 9/16 inch in diameter, 5/16 inch wide and 3/16 inch thick. Mounted in platinum and set with Dia...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
- Deer Antelope Brooch Denmark Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modernist HaandarbejdeLocated in New York, NYThis is a wonderful and rare Denmark Sterling Silver Three Running Deer or Antelope Mid-Century Modernist Brooch. The brooch is fully hallmarked with a maker's mark, Sterling, Denma...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Modernist Figurative Silver Bar Brooch - Germany - Mid 20th CenturyLocated in Chatham, CAModernist figurative 800 silver bar brooch - featuring a cast figure in motion - hand made - original hinge, pin and catch to the back - S.P. hallmark and 800 stamped on the pin (unk...Category
Mid-20th Century European Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSilver
- Modernist Sterling Silver & 18K Yellow Gold Wave Brooch, Mid 20th CenturyLocated in Chatham, CAModernist sterling silver & 18K yellow gold wave brooch - sculptural undulating form - gold rope details - crown maker's mark on the back (unknown/unidenti...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Modernist Brooches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
- Artisan Art Face Modernist Sterling Silver Statement Brooch PinLocated in Montreal, QCFabulous and so Expressive...Mid Century Modern Art Face Brooch Pin; Hand crafted in Sterling Silver; marked: 925; approx. size: 1.88" Wide x 1.25" high ". Add your own Style and Pi...Category
Vintage 1960s Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Modernist Turquoise Brooch Pin Silver Brutalist Modern ArtLocated in New York, NYThis is a stunning Modernist Brooch Pin with a wonderful Turquoise disc and cabochon in an artisan made silver brooch pin. The wonderful Turquoise disc is set within curling silver ...Category
20th Century Unknown Modernist Brooches
MaterialsTurquoise, Silver
- Silver David Andersen Modernist Enamel BroochBy David AndersenLocated in Towson, MDSterling silver brooch by Norwegian designer David Andersen featuring a modernist enamel design. The brooch measures approx. 1.25 inches by 1 5/8 inches. Locking c clasp. Signed "D-A...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver, Silver
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Chic Abstract Bracelet Is by the Father of Modernist Jewelry
Mid-20th-century designer Andrew Grima upended tradition with his avant-garde aesthetic.
Diamonds Were Her Best Friend, but Marilyn Monroe Also Sparkled in These Rhinestone Earrings
Although positively oozing red-carpet glamour, the Hollywood legend had a penchant for costume jewelry.