Seaman Schepps Gold Shell Ear Clips
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:38.7 g
- Dimensions:Width: 0.88 in (22.36 mm)Length: 1.13 in (28.71 mm)
- Style:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1035317860472
Seaman Schepps
A scrappy, self-made artist who transformed turbo shells into decadent earrings and crystal chessmen into bold bracelets, Seaman Schepps (1881–1972) tirelessly worked his way up from the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side to become “America’s Court Jeweler.”
Born to immigrant parents who named him for the Seamen’s Bank for Savings that his mother could see from the hospital — or so the legend goes — Schepps dropped out of school at the age of 14 and never had any formal jewelry training. He later moved to California, where he opened his first jewelry shop in 1904. In 1921, he returned to New York to build on the success he’d begun to enjoy as a jeweler on the West Coast, but it wasn’t long before his Manhattan house, which counted Broadway stars and theater patrons among its clientele, was hit hard by the stock market crash of 1929. Schepps used this disruption to rethink his approach to jewelry, debuting a new store in 1934 on Madison Avenue, where he would make his mark in playful custom adornments.
While many high-end jewelers of his era focused on the purest and most valuable gemstones, Schepps chose his materials for their color and shape, elevating flawed stones others disregarded in collage-like formations involving unconventional materials such as fine wood, coral, seashells and flea-market finds. Passersby of his New York City shop could find a frog-shaped brooch carved from rosewood, a vintage snuff bottle broken into links for a bracelet and loose-drilled pearls plugged with diamonds. Schepps’s whimsical pieces found fans in fashion icons who appreciated his unique statements, including Doris Duke, Andy Warhol and the Duchess of Windsor.
Following Schepps’s death in 1972, his daughter, jewelry designer Patricia S. Vaill, ran the jewelry house for two decades before it was taken over by Jay Bauer and Anthony Hopenhajm of Trianon jewelry. Following the closure of the company’s Park Avenue store in November 2020, sales for Seaman Schepps is now based in its boutique location out of Palm Beach, Florida, where the legendary brand carries forth its founder’s spirited designs.
On 1stDibs, find a distinctive collection of vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry, including brooches, bracelets and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Seaman Schepps Gold Walnut Ear ClipsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYSeaman Schepps unique ear clips that come in the form of 18 karat yellow gold walnuts. With a total weight of 49.3 grams, these ear clips are certain to catch everyone’s attention. M...Category
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold
- Lalaounis Shell Gold Ear ClipsBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in New York, NYLalaounis shell gold ear clips 18 karat yellow gold, shell motif; marked Lalaounis hallmark, 750, Greece Size: width 2 cm, length 3 cm Total weight: ...Category
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Gold Hammered Shell Ear ClipsLocated in New York, NYGold hammered shell ear clips, 18 karat yellow gold Size: width 1 inch, length 1.25 inch Total weight: 34.6 gramsCategory
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Seaman Schepps Vintage Turbo Shell Ruby Sapphire Gold EarringsBy Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYPair of vintage Seaman Schepps turbo shell earrings, crafted by Patricia Shepps, with ruby and sapphire cabochons. Earrings measure...Category
20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsRuby, Sapphire, Gold
- David Webb Hammered Gold Shell Ear ClipsBy David WebbLocated in New York, NYDavid Webb hammered gold shell ear clips Hammered 18 karat yellow gold, shell motif; marked Webb, 18k Size: width 1.9 cm, length 2.5 cm Total weight...Category
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Marina B Gold Ear ClipsBy Marina BLocated in New York, NYA simple yet pretty pair of ear clips composed of yellow gold. - Signed Marina B - Circa 1985 - 18 karat yellow gold - Italy - Total weight 24.00 grams - Length 1 inch, width 1 inc...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsYellow Gold
- SEAMAN SCHEPPS Shell Ear ClipsBy Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NY14k gold and cabochon ruby shell ear ear clipsCategory
American Clip-on Earrings
- Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell EarringsBy Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDBeautiful shell earrings by PSV of Seaman Schepps. In the 1960's, the founder retired and his daughter, Patricia took over until she sold the company in 1992. PSV are her initials. ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Materials14k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell and Sapphire Gold EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Houston, TXThese vintage earrings from Seaman Schepps feature mother of pearl with sapphire cabochons at the ends set in 18 karat yellow gold. These are ver...Category
20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsSapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell Earrings with AmethystBy Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDThese classic Seaman Schepps turbo shell earrings have richly colored amethyst terminals. The stones are faceted. The earrings are 14 karat gold, ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsAmethyst, 14k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell and Lapis Lazuli Gold EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Zurich, ZollstrasseFrom Seaman Scheps, a pair of 18 karat yellow gold, turbo shell and Lapis Lazuli earrings. Each set with a white turbo shell, terminating in a Lapis Lazuli cabochon accented by gold ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Seaman Schepps Clear Crystal Clip on EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Dallas, TXSeaman Schepps Rock Crystal and Gold Braided Earrings. 50.1 Grams Marked Seaman Schepps 750 1699 1.25 inches length 1 inch width 18K yellow goldCategory
Vintage 1980s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, 18k Gold