Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver: Modernism (262)

An interesting pair of sculptural mixed metals pierced earrings by the New York jeweler, Marci Zelmanoff.

These earrings have sterling wire details and sterling shepherd ear wires. Measure 2" long and 5/8" at the widest.

Both earrings are signed Marci Zelmanoff and with some sort of code which looks like 02-Z64. Hard to read.

They are in fine condition. Her pieces are quite rare.

A Mid Century Modernist pair of screw back earrings in two layers of sterling silver by Peggy Miller, an American studio jeweler who worked in Baltimore in the 1950's -60's. These earrings measure 3/4" across one end and 5/8"across on the other end. Measure 7/8" high. Screw backs hold securely. Signed Peggy Miller Sterling on the back of each earring. Nice contrast between the darkened background and the top layer of sterling. Great mid century design.

A sterling silver hand wrought brooch by the mid century modernist studio jeweler, Ruth Berridge, (1921-2004). Looks like rows of randomly placed flattened pebbles. Curved for a multidimensional effect. Measures about 2 3/8" across and 1 1/2" high. Hand signed © Ruth Berridge, Handmade Sterling on the back. Rollover clasp holds securely. Fine condition with minor surface scratches and a little tarnish. This piece is from her estate. Classic Ruth Berridge design.

A vintage sterling silver brooch from the Studio Modernist jeweler, Olaf Skoogfors with a smiling sun.

The brooch measures about 1 3/8" in diameter. Has a bale so can also be worn as a pendant. Signed Olaf Skoogfors on the back.

Rollover clasp holds securely. Fine condition, has some wear to the gold wash towards the top of the brooch and to the raised surfaces.

Iconic work from a noted artisan.

A modernist brooch by noted mid century silversmith, Frances Holmes Boothby. This brooch measures 3/4" tall and 1 3/4" across. One end is smooth and the other end is textured. Has a freshwater pearl off center. Has an fhb mark and Sterling on the back. Has a safety rollover clasp that holds securely. Fine condition, just a few minor scratches. Classic mid century design.

An abstract, geometric cuff bracelet made of thick sterling wires and flattened sterling curved areas by the NYC jeweler, Henry Steig.

Measures about 5" around with an opening of 1 1/4". Measures 2 1/8" wide. Can probably be adjusted slightly. Fits snugly on my average wrist and does not turn, (which is good). Signed on the inside with Steig Sterling. Has some minor surface scratches and a little tarnish.

Outstanding hand wrought design.

A pair of vintage sterling silver brooches by the American modernist jeweler, Ronald Hayes Pearson. May purchase individually or as a pair.

The larger first brooch, which looks like a stylized abstract bird measures about 3" long and 1" across. Signed Pearson, Sterling and with a stylized 'P'. Heavy sterling silver, weighs 20 gr.

The second brooch also reminds us of a stylized bird, but is more streamlined. This brooch measures 2 3/4" long and 1 3/8" at the widest. Weighs 17 gr...

A sterling silver hand wrought cuff bracelet and matching ring, each with a central suspended floating orb by the mid century modernist studio jeweler, Ruth Berridge, (1921-2004). Bracelet measures about 6" around with an opening of 7/8", and 1" wide. The orb sits about 3/4" high. Could probably be adjusted slightly. Marked Sterling Berridge on the inside. There is some solder residue on the inside...

A rare sterling silver and caged raw purple stone brooch by noted MCM jeweler, Arthur King. Probably amethyst. Unmarked, attributed to Arthur King. We have seen the same brooch signed Sterling, King. The raw amethyst is caged in thick and thinner sterling wire and suspended from a thick curved wire.

Measures 1 3/4" across and 2 1/2" tall.

Has a rolling safety clasp that holds securely. Has some minor surface scratches and a little tarnish.

Lots of movement. Classic Arthur King design.

A long pitchfork shaped sterling silver brooch by Jean Lasnier. He was a member of the Metal Arts Guild between 1951-64 with many of the well known studio artisans of the Mid Century Modern jewelry movement.

Made of polished sterling with a central textured piece for an interesting contrast. Measures 4" long and 1" across at the widest. Marked Sterling and Lasnier on the back. Has a rollover clasp that holds securely.

Fine condition. Striking design.

A vintage modernist sterling silver stylized brooch with a Pre Columbian bird by the noted Peruvian silversmith, Graziella Laffi. The bird has a teal blue enamel eye and an oversized head. May be a duck. Body has an additional layer of sterling. The brooch is curved for a 3-D effect.

Signed Laffi Peru and 925 on the back.

Measures 1 3/8" high and 1 1/4" across...

A sterling silver modernist link bracelet consisting of five rectangular links, each with a distinct geometric overlay. Has oxidized areas for an interesting effect.

Measures 7 1/4" long and 3/4" at the widest. Marked Handwrought Sterling.

Hook closure holds securely. Has some tarnish and minor surface scratches.

Well executed design.

A sterling silver hand wrought brooch by the mid century modernist studio jeweler, Ruth Berridge, (1921-2004).

Has nine cascading dangles with balls at each end for a multidimensional effect. Measures about 1 3/4" across and 1" high.

Signed © Berridge, Hand Made and Sterling on the back. Rollover clasp holds securely. Fine condition with minor surface scratches and a some tarnish.

Interesting kinetic design.

A very long sterling silver curved brooch by noted San Francisco silversmith, Franz Bergmann.

Measures 5" long and 1" at the widest. Signed with the artisan's conjoined FB and sterling.

Constructed of three curved thick sterling wires with connectors. Features a rollover clasp that holds securely. Has some tarnish. The pin closure is slightly bent.

Would look fantastic on a lapel of either a man or a woman. Fine example.

A pair of vintage modernist sterling silver fish cuff links with copper eyes by noted silversmith, Ed Wiener. Three dimensional design. Measure 1" long and 1/2" across. Marked Ed Wiener, Sterling on toggle. Toggles work fine. Cool Mid Century design.

A vintage hammered sterling silver circles necklace and bangle bracelet in the style of the American Studio Modernist jeweler, John Lewis. These examples are both signed 'jb' and sterling, but it is unclear who this was and if they had any relationship to Lewis. They are even signed the same way but with jb instead of the crossed JL.

The necklace has a lightly hammered texture, circles are various sizes. Measures 18" long with the widest circle measuring 7/8". Very delicate, weighs 8 gr...

An interesting Sterling Silver brooch by Miyé Matsukata who had Atelier Janiyé in Boston. This piece reminds us of a stylized 'eye'. Has a three dimensional effect.

Measures 1 1/2" long and 1" at the widest. Signed Janiyé and Sterling. Fine condition with minor surface scratches. The rollover clasp holds securely.

Well crafted work from a talented artisan.

A modernist lightly hammered sterling silver double wire neck collar by Ed Levin.

Measures 12" around with an opening of 2". Flexible so can be opened wider to put on. Sits just above the collar bone.

Signed © Ed Levin, and STER. Fine condition with minor surface scratches and a little tarnish.

Unusual Ed Levin design. Haven't seen this neck ring before.