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Jewellery kaleidoscope

Christian Schmidt modernist silver jewelry

Christian Schmidt modernist silver jewelry

Pearl and sterling silver modernist mid-century brooch pin. Christian Schmidt modernist silver jewelry

Christian Schmidt modernist silver jewelry
The famous American modernist jeweler Christian F. Schmidt was born on August 28, 1928 in Minneapolis, MN, where he worked all his life until his death on April 22, 1974. Schmidt received an art and music education at the University of Minnesota, from which he graduated in 1956. He subsequently taught jewelry and design at this university and the Minneapolis School of Art (1956-1963). Although Schmidt lived only 45 years, he made significant contributions to the world of jewelry.
Drawing inspiration from the nature around him, Schmidt created unique works with organic forms, for which he received numerous awards at jewelry exhibitions. Noteworthy, later Schmidt himself was a member of the jury of national art exhibitions. He was also a sculptor and nature photographer, studying phenomena such as the transformation of a butterfly or the gill structure of a mushroom. The photographer’s observations helped Christian create, implement and refine his jewelry designs and the concept of his sculptures.
When creating jewelry, the master most often used sterling silver, as well as gold, cultured pearls and natural stones. The maker’s mark includes stylized “S” or “Christian Schmidt”
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Mildred Ball modernist mid-century jewelry

Mildred Ball modernist mid-century jewelry

Swirl design sterling silver brooch pin. Mildred Ball modernist mid-century jewelry

Mildred Ball modernist mid-century jewelry
Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Mildred Lee Ball (1902 – 1997) was educated at Columbia University. After she married William M. Ball (1928) she taught home economics and needlework at school and college for several years.
In the 1940s, she began creating her unique silver jewelry using enamel, wood and natural stones. According to sources, she launched her own jewelry trademark in February 1959 in Winston Salem, NC.

Successfully participating in national art exhibitions (1955, 1956, 1959), she became one of the founders of the Winston-Salem Arts and Crafts Association and the Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc. (1963).

The work of talented jewelry designer, exhibitor and silversmith Mildred Lee Ball has been featured in various books on mid-century modernist jewelry in the 1960s.
Today, modernist pieces signed Ball are rare and highly collectible.
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Loola Paris vintage costume jewelry

Loola Paris vintage costume jewelry

Sun brooch pendant of gold tone. 1990s. Loola Paris vintage costume jewelry

Loola Paris vintage costume jewelry
The history of the French costume jewelry designer “Loola Paris” spans less than two decades – from 1989 to 2008. Following the spirit of haute couture, Parisian jewelry designer Evelyne Sitbon produced high end fashion jewelry with modernist or abstract accents.
Handcrafting bracelets, necklaces, earrings and brooches, the designers used textured metal alloys, gold or silver plating, crystals and multicolor gripoix glass imitating natural stones.
Today, unique vintage pieces signed “Loola Paris” have become collector’s items.
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Donald Simpson vintage costume jewelry

Jewel Crest Donald Simpson vintage costume jewelry

Floral design multicolored rhinestone silver tone brooch signed “Jewel Crest”. 6 cm. Donald Simpson vintage costume jewelry

Donald Simpson vintage costume jewelry
One of the major Australian jewelers of the late 1940s – early 1970s, Donald Simpson made a significant contribution to 20th century jewellery design. Noteworthy, he produced costume jewelry under three trademarks, which was reflected in the labeling of his products. Specifically, “Originals from Simpson Jewellery Pty Ltd STG”, “Another Original from Simpson” and “Jewel Crest”.
According to The Sidney Morning Herald, Simpson made a replica of the Waratah brooch which he gave to Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to Australia in 1952.
The designer traditionally used high-quality materials such as silver, gold, rhodium, as well as Austrian crystals, cultured pearls and Aurora Borealis rhinestones. Created in an Art Deco style with classic floral motifs, his necklaces, brooches and earrings were sold in original silk-lined boxes. Today, every piece created by Sydney jewellery designer Donald Simpson is rare and highly collectible.
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Signed Catanzaro vintage silver jewelry

Signed Catanzaro vintage silver jewelry

Sterling silver brooch by Jo. 1950s. Signed Catanzaro vintage silver jewelry

Signed Catanzaro vintage silver jewelry (1959-1980)
Josephine “Jo” Catanzaro (1913–1988) and her younger sister Antoinette “Toni” Catanzaro (1914–2003) grew up in Buffalo, New York. In the mid-1950s, they took a jewelry making course and opened a jewelry shop in their native Buffalo. It was there that they created unique modernist sterling silver jewelry, branding it with their names “Jo Catanzaro”, or “Toni Catanzaro”. Noteworthy, the sisters received many awards while participating in national jewelry exhibitions. Today, jewelry created by the Catanzaro sisters has a high collectible value.
Notably, they also sold glass, ceramics, textiles, and wood items in their “House of Crafts” gallery created by other American and foreign craftsmen.
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Joseph Skinger vintage silver jewelry

Joseph Skinger vintage silver jewelry

Kinetic Sterling silver dangle earrings. 1950s. Joseph Skinger vintage silver jewelry

Joseph Skinger vintage silver jewelry (1946-1967)
Born on March 16, 1911 in Massachusetts, Joseph Skinger was a renowned mid-century metal artist, sculptor and jeweler who worked in Alburg Springs, Vermont. Notably, he became famous for the slalom ring, which he invented in the early 1950s. This was the time when Joseph attended art classes at the London Central School of Arts and Crafts.
Skinger traditionally used sterling silver when making handmade jewelry, and used wood, copper and fiberglass to create sculptural works. Unfortunately, the talented jeweler lived only 55 years. He worked for two decades until his death in January 1967.
Signed “Joseph Skinger”, these unique abstract jewelry pieces have become rare and highly collectible.
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Signed Cinderella vintage costume jewelry

Signed Cinderella vintage costume jewelry

Frog brooch. Gold plated textured metal alloy, Swarovski crystals. 6 cm. 1980s. Signed Cinderella vintage costume jewelry

Signed Cinderella vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Cinderella costume jewelry brand began in 1928 in New York City and lasted about seven decades. “Cinderella” was one of four trademarks owned by Blancard & Co. corporation. Registered in July 1955, the renewed brand for the production of rings, bracelets, brooches, cufflinks, pendants, necklaces and pins, “Cinderella Jewels” ceased to exist in 1996.

Along with jewelry, the company produced money clips, belt buckles, crosses and Star of David emblems. Noteworthy, the company’s craftsmen used both precious metals and metal alloys, as well as art glass, Austrian crystals and rhinestones. The maker’s mark traditionally includes “Cinderella” without a copyright sign, or “Cinderella Jewels” in script and a crown on an oval cartouche.
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