Art Smith designed cuff links for Duke Ellington and a brooch for Eleanor Roosevelt. His work was featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar (in the 1950’s), and he moved in the same circles as James Baldwin, Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne. “His designs were interesting and modern. They appealed to people who were artists,” says gallery owner Mark McDonald. Smith’s jewelry was “sculpture to wear—theatrical, usually large, in copper, brass and silver,” adds McDonald. The Brooklyn-raised, Cooper Union-educated jeweler owned a shop in New York City’s Greenwich Village for more than 30 years. He died in 1982, but his work continues to be celebrated in exhibits across the country. Turn the page and check out the creations by the next wave of Black artisans.
Smith, circa 1970
Metallic boa necklace, circa 1964
Triangle Necklace, ca. 1969. Silver, turquoise, lapis lazuli, rhodochrosite,
New Orleans Necklace, ca. 1962. Silver, three semi-precious stones: Labradorite
Stone-in-Cuff Necklace, ca. 1969. Silver, semi-precious stone
Undulation Ring, ca. 1961. Gold, chrysocola, amethyst, carnelian
Pair of Cuff Links, 1974. Gold and silver
“Lava” Bracelet, designed ca. 1946. Silver
Circles in Cube Ring, ca. 1960. Silver, tourmaline (elbaite) matrix
Last Necklace, 1979. Silver, two hard stones
“Patina” Necklace, ca. 1959. Silver
