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Home · Accessories

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith

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.

By Pamela Edwards Chrisitiani · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Art Smith

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

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
The Estate of Art Smith
02
Art Smith

Metallic boa necklace, circa 1964

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
03
Art Smith

Triangle Necklace, ca. 1969. Silver, turquoise, lapis lazuli, rhodochrosite,

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
04
Art Smith

New Orleans Necklace, ca. 1962. Silver, three semi-precious stones: Labradorite

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
05
Art Smith

Stone-in-Cuff Necklace, ca. 1969. Silver, semi-precious stone

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
06
Art Smith

Undulation Ring, ca. 1961. Gold, chrysocola, amethyst, carnelian

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
07
Art Smith

Pair of Cuff Links, 1974. Gold and silver

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Linda Kandel Kuehl in loving memory of her husband, John R. Kuehl
08
Art Smith

“Lava” Bracelet, designed ca. 1946. Silver

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
09
Art Smith

Circles in Cube Ring, ca. 1960. Silver, tourmaline (elbaite) matrix

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
10
Art Smith

Last Necklace, 1979. Silver, two hard stones

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell
11
Art Smith

“Patina” Necklace, ca. 1959. Silver

Precious Metals: Celebrating the Work of Modernist Jeweler Art Smith
Brooklyn Musuem/Gift of Charles L. Russell

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