Noble Smith Mid-century Modernist Jewelry
Abstract geometric design sterling silver brooch pin. Noble Smith mid-century modernist jewelry
Noble Smith mid-century modernist jewelry (1950-60s)
Born in Noble County, Indiana in 1938, Shirley L Smith studied art at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts. By creating unique jewelry pieces for a short period of time in the late 1950s and mid-1960s, Shirley made history in mid-century American modernist wearable art.
In fact, Shirley L Smith created most designs in limited editions, and even individual pieces for exhibitions, or as commissioned items. The last exhibition of her unique wearable art pieces took place in 2008 at an exhibition in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In her abstract geometric designs of sterling silver rings, pendants, bracelets, and brooches, Noble Smith used natural stones such as tourmaline.
Noteworthy, the earliest markings on her pieces included a cursive signature – S L SMITH, while later pieces are stamped “Noble Smith” and sterling. The name Noble may be related to her birthplace – Noble County, Indiana. Shirley L Smith died at age 73 years old, in 2011.
Biomorphic shape sterling silver earrings
The earliest signature in cursive
Mid-century modernist sterling silver brooch pin
Sterling silver cuff bracelet
Chevron shape sterling silver earrings
Collar necklace, sterling silver, natural stone
Cuff bracelet, textured sterling silver
Geometric design sterling silver choker necklace
Leaf design sterling silver brooch pin
Mid-century modernist sterling silver tourmaline brooch pin
Sterling silver bangle bracelet
Maker’s mark
