The Irresistible Lure of Copper Jewelry and Modernist Design

Jewelry buyers in the 1950's were thrilled with realistic copies of fine jewelry that were being mass produced in the costume jewelry factories. Everyone had a single, double and triple strand of fake pearls which inspired more creative designs made in plastic, rhinestone and inexpensive metals. The costume jewelry business was booming and every woman owned a variety of jewelry styles and colors to accent every outfit.

But... my dear fashionistas..... , there were some very cool artistic types out there looking to accessorize themselves with something unique, artful, evocative, and bohemian. Think the Beat Generation, Picasso, Leger, Cubisim, Industrialist design. These mid century buyers deliberately separated themselves from the rhinestone crowd by searching out art to wear. They sought out creative designers who had just graduated from art school and had set up shop in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. The clean Scandinavian look and modernist designs that could be seen in sculpture, painting and home design influenced the jewelry designers and soon modernist jewelry was available for the individualistic crowd.

Jerry Fells founded the Renoir Company in 1946. They produced wonderful artisan designed jewelry out of copper that was geometric and abstract and combined a durable, lustrous finish with a blackened contrasted surface treatment. Fabulous shapes that echoed the Arts & Crafts style were produced by Fell's California artisans. Fells opened another company in 1952 called Matisse that used similar designs but added colorful enameling. Copper earrings were the must haves followed by fabulous cuff and link bracelets and necklaces. Brooches were also produced in this style. Copper came to be the metal of choice for these art loving individuals. Rebajes-a Dominican designer produced copper jewelry under his own name and favored the blackened, non lustrous finish for his pieces. His original designs were in demand and made it to 5th Avenue in the 50s.

Well friends, copper has made a huge come back and the mid century modernist designs are highly regarded in the world of vintage jewelry. Copper is as lovely and vibrant on pink skin as it is on olive or dark skin. It was the first metal discovered by Prehistoric Man between 10,000 and 13,000 years ago. By 4,000BC, copper had become a sign of wealth and status. Copper is known to benefit bones, joints, and circulation. It also helps to form collagen so wear copper and forget Botox!
I have a wonderful collection of artisan copper and other modernist jewelry that can become the beginning of your Mid Century Obsession!

Find me at the Pier94 Antiques Show NYC March 13,14

or the Manhattan Vintage Show, Manhattan Pavilion NYC April 23, 24

or the Cross River Antiques show this Sunday John Jay H.S. March 7

or the Danbury Vintage show April 7,8.
See you soon,
Patra B at Vintage Couture Jewelry