Sam Biern vintage button jewelry

Sam Biern vintage button jewelry (1933-1961)
Born in Hungary, fifteen year-old Sam Biern (August 1905 – August 1976) moved to the USA in 1920. An artist by vocation, Sam had a passion for painting and embodied his artistic vision in the design of various accessories and jewelry. However, he became known for his original button designs, which are highly collectible today.
Biern founded the eponymous company Sam Biern Inc., in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression.
According to the designer, he got the most pleasure not from sales, but from the creative process – sketching, molding and finishing. His buttons differed from the usual buttons that were sold in stores. Traditionally, he used brass, copper, white metal, leather, aluminium, pewter, plastic and jewels. Also, he signed his buttons with his name Sam Biern N.Y.
Located at 260 West 39th Street, New York City, his company which once had more than 90 employees, ceased to exist in 1961.
Noteworthy, Sam Biern lived and worked in Providence, Rhode Island until his death in August 1976. He worked as a designer of handbags, buckles, ornaments and costume jewelry. In his leisure time he enjoyed painting and experimenting in new techniques.