Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art

Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art
African head with necklace and earrings copper brooch with the image of an exotic Ubangi girl. The end of the 1940s. 8 cm. £ 200-240 CRIS. Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art

Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art
Born in Spain in 1906, the future jewelry designer, 16 year-old Francisco Rebajes moved to New York City in 1922. Like all emigrants, he took on any job. In 1932, he married Pauline Schwartz, against the wishes of her parents. Paulina and Frank began living in their friends’ apartment, where Frank set up a small workshop.
The first collection of figures that Rebajes made from cans impressed the director of the Whitney Museum, Julian Fors, who bought it. This was the beginning of the great master’s journey.
In 1934 he opened a studio shop in New York City. Frank’s career reached its peak in the 1950s, when he had a store on Fifth Avenue. These years, Rebajes sold his products throughout the country. He employed more than 100 jewelers, embodying his designs. However, by 1967 he stopped making jewellery and had to sell his shops and workshops, due to his wife’s severe illness.

Theatrical masks surreal brooch made of copper
Theatrical masks surreal brooch made of copper

After returning to Spain, he made jewelry until his death in 1990. Rebajes drew inspiration from the symbolism of ethnic masks and surrealism. In fact, creating his handmade copper decorations he followed the artistic principles of modernism: flexible fluid lines and stylized floral motifs.

Ubangi Tribal face with pearl earring, copper brooch pendant
Ubangi Tribal face with pearl earring, copper brooch pendant

In the 1970s, Rebajes became actively engaged in sculpture, and his exhibitions were a great success. Frank Rebajes died in the 1990s. His works are in many museums around the world.

Maker's mark
Maker’s mark

Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art

Animalistic copper brooch
Animalistic copper brooch
Elephant copper brooch
Elephant copper brooch
Hand forged copper brooch - theatrical masks. Mid 20th century
Hand forged copper brooch – theatrical masks. Mid 20th century
Kiss copper brooch
Kiss copper brooch. 1940s
Queen of spades copper brooch
Queen of spades copper brooch
Rectangular leaf motif copper brooch
Rectangular leaf motif copper brooch
Round brooch with leaf design, sterling silver
Round brooch with leaf design, sterling silver
Swan copper brooch. 1950s
Swan copper brooch. 1950s
Square brooch in copper, modernism, 1950s
Square brooch in copper, modernism, 1950s
Sterling silver cuff bracelet
Sterling silver cuff bracelet
Sterling silver modernist brooch
Sterling silver modernist brooch
Swirl design sterling silver earrings
Swirl design sterling silver earrings
Theatrical tragedy and comedy mask brooches
Theatrical tragedy and comedy mask brooches
Ubangi tribal woman pendant. Copper. 1940s
Ubangi tribal woman pendant. Copper. 1940s
Abstract style face, copper pendant. 1942
Abstract style face, copper pendant. 1942
Bull head brooch. Early 1940s
Bull head brooch. Early 1940s
Curved antilope brooch, designer Francisco Rebajes. 9 cm. 1940s
Curved antelope brooch, designer Francisco Rebajes. 9 cm. 1940s
Double Fish copper brooch
Double Fish copper brooch
Dove in flight pendant. Hammered copper. 6,8 cm. Designer Francisco Rebajes, 1942
Dove in flight pendant. Hammered copper. 6,8 cm. Designer Francisco Rebajes, 1942
Earrings shade of copper in the form of flames. 1950. W. see £ 15-20 BB
Earrings shade of copper in the form of flames. 1950. W. see £ 15-20 BB
Lobster brooch. 1942. 10 cm
Lobster brooch. 1942. 10 cm
Mayan Goddess pendant
Mayan Goddess pendant
Mexican on a donkey, brooch
Mexican on a donkey, copper brooch, 1940s
Necklace with pendant. copper chain. 1950. 48 cm, pendant 5.75 cm £ 15-20 BB
Necklace with pendant. copper chain. 1950. 48 cm, pendant 5.75 cm £ 15-20 BB
Pekingese Dog copper brooch. 1942. Designer Francisco Rebajes
Pekingese Dog copper brooch. 1942. Designer Francisco Rebajes
Tribal masks bracelet. Fire-blackened copper
Tribal masks bracelet. Fire-blackened copper
Viola flower earrings, sterling silver
Viola flower earrings, sterling silver
Signed Rebajes
Maker’s mark
Francisco Rebajes at work
Francisco Rebajes at work, 1940s

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