For sale here is an iconic vintage 1930s 40s handmade copper Art Deco modernist geometric design cuff bracelet by Francisco "Frank" Rebajes of New York City. Entirely handmade hand fabricated from copper sheet and wire in this iconic Art Deco design that is also early modernist design decades before the mid century! I've had this bracelet one other time, and only seen one additional to that, and this is the only one I've seen that has the green stone inlay at center top. Perhaps a one of a kind variation for a special customer? I can't say for sure, but the design is rare, and this variation of that design is unique to the best of my knowledge! Measures 1-5/8" widest by about 7.5" wearable length inside, and weighs a substantial 38 grams total. Marked "Rebajes" on the side of the bracelet as shown. Excellent vintage condition.

Francisco "Frank" Rebajes of New York City working in his studio circa 1940. In 1922, Francisco Torres arrived in New York on a steam ship from his hometown of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, at the age of sixteen. He adopted his mother’s last name of Rebajes, which he believed had a more interesting air, and in New York, he soon became known as “Frank” among his inner circle of artists, writers, and intellectuals. While living in a friend’s basement, Rebajes began transforming cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures using the everyday tools his friend had lying around. In 1932, he displayed these works on an ironing board at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Festival and caught the eye of Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, who purchased the entire collection for $30. Rebajes used the money to open his first shop in Greenwich Village—a four-foot wide space between two buildings with an improvised roof and a dirt floor. There he began developing what would become his emblematic line of copper jewelry, which was an accessibly priced collection inspired by cultural references, Modern art, and the natural world. His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair. With his newfound success, Rebajes upgraded to larger storefronts in Greenwich Village, until in 1942, he settled in an expansive space at 355 Fifth Avenue called Rebajes Jewelry and Gifts.The store reflected the Modernist principles that were taking hold at the time and featured subdued colors, gray marble, pickled oak, and bronze trim. In 1958 Rebajes sold his business and moved to Torremolinos Spain to work on his art projects although he did continue to make jewelry and decorative objects usually on a one of a kind basis."

Here's a super rare Francisco Rebajes NYC Art Deco handmade copper and green stone geometric bracelet circa 1930s.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #copper #jewelry #bracelet #artdeco #artdecojewelry #handmade #oneofakind #jewelrydesign #wearableart #nyc #rebajescopper #art

a BIG vintage 1950s handmade sterling silver space age modernist Boomerang design brooch by Frank Rebajes of New York City. Iconic mid-century design but with the unique Rebajes interpretation! Entirely handmade of sterling silver classic boomerang shape but with a slight fold at center giving the design dimensionality! Looks like the design was lifted from Star Trek, but it's from 10-15 years before the TV show! Measures 2-3/4" by 1-3/4", and weighs 10.3 grams total. Marked at back as shown, "Rebajes Sterling" and the copyright symbol which was only used after the early/mid 50s. Excellent vintage condition.

Frank Rebajes at work in his studio circa 1940s. In 1922, Francisco Torres arrived in New York on a steam ship from his hometown of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, at the age of sixteen. He adopted his mother’s last name of Rebajes, which he believed had a more interesting air, and in New York, he soon became known as “Frank” among his inner circle of artists, writers, and intellectuals. While living in a friend’s basement, Rebajes began transforming cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures using the everyday tools his friend had lying around. In 1932, he displayed these works on an ironing board at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Festival and caught the eye of Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, who purchased the entire collection for $30. Rebajes used the money to open his first shop in Greenwich Village—a four-foot wide space between two buildings with an improvised roof and a dirt floor. There he began developing what would become his emblematic line of copper jewelry, which was an accessibly priced collection inspired by cultural references, Modern art, and the natural world. His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair. With his newfound success, Rebajes upgraded to larger storefronts in Greenwich Village, until in 1942, he settled in an expansive space at 355 Fifth Avenue called Rebajes Jewelry and Gifts. Rebajes’s atelier also grew to include 100 artisans; yet, despite the growth of his business he continued to design and create prototypes for all the works himself. At the workshop, the most important pieces were hand produced, while by the 1950s the majority of the jewelry was cast or die stamped and then hand assembled. In 1958 Rebajes sold his business and moved to Torremolinos Spain to work on his art projects and one of a kind jewelry pieces.

A very large Frank Rebajes NYC handmade sterling silver modernist Boomerang design brooch - straight out of the Space Age!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #sterling #rebajesjewelry #rebajessterling #nyc #handmade #iconic #spaceage #boomerang #wearableart #art #startrek #pin

For sale here is a RARE and exceptional vintage 1940s 50s handmade sterling silver sardonyx and pearl modernist pendant on chain necklace by Francisco Rebajes of New York. Outstanding entirely handmade design with vibrant red and white banded sardonyx and a gorgeous 8mm silver-colored natural baroque pearl at center! I've seen this design with a different stone and no pearl pictured in a late 1940s Rebajes catalog, so it's circa late 1940s to early 1950s. The pendant measures 4" long (including the bail) by 2-1/8" wide, and hangs on the original handmade hammered link 30" sterling silver integral chain. The chain does not have a closure but was made to be slipped over the head. Marked as shown, "Rebajes Sterling". Rare design, even possibly a one of a kind given the unique combination of materials! Excellent vintage condition.

Rebajes working in his studio circa 1940s. Here's a short bio of the artist... Francisco "Frank" Rebajes (1907-1990) was a self-taught designer and metalsmith. Born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic he arrived in New York City in 1923, and by the early 1930s, he was using plumber's tools to transform cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures. Rebajes first exhibited these works at the Washington Square outdoor show, where Juliana Force, then director of the Whitney Museum, purchased them all. Using the money from this sale, Rebajes rented his first store in Greenwich Village, where he began developing what would become his emblematic line of copper jewelry. Although copper made up the majority of the production, Rebajes also used silver, gold, semi-precious stones, enamel, and on occasion found objects. His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World's Fair. With his newfound success, Rebajes upgraded to larger storefronts in Greenwich Village, until in 1942, he settled in an expansive space at 355 Fifth Avenue called Rebajes Jewelry and Gifts. Designed by Puerto Rican architect José Fernández, the store boasted an avant-garde interior that reflected the Modernist principles that were taking hold at the time. At its peak Rebajes sold his works at over 500 retail stores around the United States and his shop was self-proclaimed as the "World's Finest Display of Hand Crafted Copper." In 1960, Rebajes moved to Torremolinos, Spain, where he continued to make jewelry, however by the 1970s, he began to concentrate more on kinetic sculptural works he called Ovulo until his death in 1990.

An exceptional 1940s 50s Francisco Rebajes sterling sardonyx and pearl modernist pendant necklace - the pendant measures 4" by 2" and hangs on the original 30" hammered link sterling chain!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #nyc #rebajesjewelry #rebajessterling #wearableart

A unique vintage 1930s 40s handmade sterling silver and rhodonite modernist cocktail ring designed by Frank Rebajes of New York City. From his last few years when he made nothing but one of a kind jewelry, particularly rings using a great variety of natural and appealing stones! Although he made quite a few of this particular design, each ring was unique because it was either a different variety of gemstone, or unique sizes or shapes of the gemstones. This is the only ring of this design by him that I have seen using a polished rhodonite slab. It's particularly unusual because the stone measures 1.25" long! This outstanding ring measures about 1.25" long at top, and the band is adjustable and presently a size 9.5 US. Weighs 23.3 grams total. Marked inside the band as shown, "Sterling Original Handwrought Rebajes Design". Excellent vintage condition.

In 1922, Francisco Rebajes arrived in New York on a steam ship from his hometown of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, at the age of sixteen. While living in a friend’s basement, Rebajes began transforming cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures using the everyday tools his friend had lying around. In 1932, he displayed these works on an ironing board at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Festival and caught the eye of Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, who purchased the entire collection for $30. Rebajes used the money to open his first shop in Greenwich Village—a four-foot wide space between two buildings with an improvised roof and a dirt floor. His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair. With his newfound success, Rebajes upgraded to larger storefronts in Greenwich Village, until in 1942, he settled in an expansive space at 355 Fifth Avenue called Rebajes Jewelry and Gifts. Copper made up the majority of the production, however, silver, gold, semi-precious stones, enamel, and even found objects were used on occasion. At the workshop, the most important pieces were hand produced, while by the 1950s the majority of the jewelry was cast or die stamped and then hand assembled. In 1958 Rebajes sold his business and moved to Torremolinos Spain to work on his art projects although he did continue to make jewelry and decorative objects usually on a one of a kind basis."

A one of a kind vintage 1950s Frank Rebajes handmade sterling and rhodochrosite pebble adjustable-size ring.

Available in my Ruby Lane shop...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #nyc #handmade #wearableart #art #ring #jewelry #jewelrydesign #modernistjewelry #modernsilver #vintagemodern

An iconic vintage 1930s 40s handmade sterling silver Art Deco Tribal African Ubangi Girl brooch designed by Frank Rebajes of New York City. One of his best known designs from the 1930s, and in the rare sterling version rather than the more common copper. Also, some slight differences between the two versions, notice the spiral earrings versus the copper version I also have for sale in my store. This brooch measures 3-1/8" tall by 2" widest. Weighs 23.4 grams total. Marked at the back as shown, "Rebajes Sterling". Excellent vintage condition.

The copper version of the Ubangi Girl brooch, also available in my shop. A short biography... In 1922, Francisco Torres arrived in New York on a steam ship from his hometown of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, at the age of sixteen. Despite being an unaccompanied minor, he convinced immigration authorities to allow him to enter the United States by speaking the fluent English he learned from a native Virgin Islander living in Puerto Plata and revealing the $300 he had in his pocket. He adopted his mother’s last name of Rebajes, which he believed had a more interesting air, and in New York, he soon became known as “Frank” among his inner circle of artists, writers, and intellectuals. While living in a friend’s basement, Rebajes began transforming cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures using the everyday tools his friend had lying around. In 1932, he displayed these works on an ironing board at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Festival and caught the eye of Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, who purchased the entire collection for $30. Rebajes used the money to open his first shop in Greenwich Village—a four-foot wide space between two buildings with an improvised roof and a dirt floor. There he began developing what would become his emblematic line of copper jewelry, which was an accessibly priced collection inspired by cultural references, Modern art, and the natural world. His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Rebajes’s atelier also grew to include 100 artisans; yet, despite the growth of his business he continued to design and create prototypes for all the works himself. In 1958 Rebajes sold his business and moved to Torremolinos Spain to work on his art projects although he did continue to make jewelry and decorative objects usually on a one of a kind basis."

The rare sterling version of the iconic 1930s Francisco Rebajes 'Ubangi Girl' brooch.

Available in my Ruby Lane shop...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #rebajesjewelry #rebajessterling #ubangigirl #handmade #artdeco #modernism #earlymodern #nyc #jewelrydesign #wearableart #art #sterling

an ICONIC vintage 1930s 40s handmade copper hinged Lobster design brooch by Francisco Rebajes of NYC. One of the most complex designs by Rebajes that I have seen, this brooch is in six hinged sections, plus the claws at front that move too! Super rare and highly coveted design by this great American designer and craftsman! Measures 4" long by 2-1/2" widest point. Marked at back as shown, "Rebajes" on the tail section. Excellent vintage condition.

The Rebajes gallery on 5th Ave, New York City circa 1940. In 1922, Francisco Torres arrived in New York on a steam ship from his hometown of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, at the age of sixteen. Despite being an unaccompanied minor, he convinced immigration authorities to allow him to enter the United States by speaking the fluent English he learned from a native Virgin Islander living in Puerto Plata and revealing the $300 he had in his pocket. With his sights set on building his fortunes, Francisco Torres gradually transformed himself into Frank Rebajes. He adopted his mother’s last name of Rebajes, which he believed had a more interesting air, and in New York, he soon became known as “Frank” among his inner circle of artists, writers, and intellectuals. While living in a friend’s basement, Rebajes began transforming cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures using the everyday tools his friend had lying around. In 1932, he displayed these works on an ironing board at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Festival and caught the eye of Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, who purchased the entire collection for $30. Rebajes used the money to open his first shop in Greenwich Village—a four-foot wide space between two buildings with an improvised roof and a dirt floor. There he began developing what would become his emblematic line of copper jewelry, which was an accessibly priced collection inspired by cultural references, Modern art, and the natural world. His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Rebajes at work in his workshop circa 1940. With his newfound success, Rebajes upgraded to larger storefronts in Greenwich Village, until in 1942, he settled in an expansive space at 355 Fifth Avenue called Rebajes Jewelry and Gifts. (See my photo of a post card from that shop in the photo section, also a short biography of the artist from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and a photo of the artist in his workshop.) Designed by Puerto Rican architect José Fernández, the store boasted an avant-garde interior with an S-shaped counter suspended from the ceiling as its centerpiece. (I believe that this pair of S-shaped candelabra were probably made about the same time ie 1942 for the new store.) The store reflected the Modernist principles that were taking hold at the time and featured subdued colors, gray marble, pickled oak, and bronze trim. Rebajes’s atelier also grew to include 100 artisans; yet, despite the growth of his business he continued to design and create prototypes for all the works himself. Copper made up the majority of the production, however, silver, gold, semi-precious stones, enamel, and even found objects were used on occasion. At the workshop, the most important pieces were hand produced, while by the 1950s the majority of the jewelry was cast or die stamped and then hand assembled. In 1958 Rebajes sold his business and moved to Torremolinos Spain to work on his art projects although he did continue to make jewelry and decorative objects usually on a one of a kind basis."

An iconic vintage 1930s handmade copper 'lobster' brooch by Francisco Rebajes of NYC - measures 4" long!

Available in my Ruby Lane shop...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #copper #jewelry #franciscorebajes #nyc #wearableart #affordableartjewelry #handmade #lobster #brooch #design

In 1922, Francisco Torres arrived in New York on a steam ship from his hometown of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, at the age of sixteen. Despite being an unaccompanied minor, he convinced immigration authorities to allow him to enter the United States by speaking the fluent English he learned from a native Virgin Islander living in Puerto Plata and revealing the $300 he had in his pocket. With his sights set on building his fortunes, Francisco Torres gradually transformed himself into Frank Rebajes. He adopted his mother’s last name of Rebajes, which he believed had a more interesting air, and in New York, he soon became known as “Frank” among his inner circle of artists, writers, and intellectuals. While living in a friend’s basement, Rebajes began transforming cans and scrap metal into animal shaped sculptures using the everyday tools his friend had lying around. In 1932, he displayed these works on an ironing board at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Festival and caught the eye of Juliana Force, the first director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, who purchased the entire collection for $30. Rebajes used the money to open his first shop in Greenwich Village—a four-foot wide space between two buildings with an improvised roof and a dirt floor. There he began developing what would become his emblematic line of copper jewelry, which was an accessibly priced collection inspired by cultural references, Modern art, and the natural world.

His jewelry quickly gained popularity and in the late 1930s, his work was included in exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair. With his newfound success, Rebajes upgraded to larger storefronts in Greenwich Village, until in 1942, he settled in an expansive space at 355 Fifth Avenue called Rebajes Jewelry and Gifts. (See my photo of a post card from that shop in the photo section, also a short biography of the artist from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and a photo of the artist in his workshop.) Designed by Puerto Rican architect José Fernández, the store boasted an avant-garde interior with an S-shaped counter suspended from the ceiling as its centerpiece. The store reflected the Modernist principles that were taking hold at the time and featured subdued colors, gray marble, pickled oak, and bronze trim. Rebajes’s atelier also grew to include 100 artisans; yet, despite the growth of his business he continued to design and create prototypes for all the works himself. Copper made up the majority of the production, however, silver, gold, semi-precious stones, enamel, and even found objects were used on occasion. At the workshop, the most important pieces were hand produced, while by the 1950s the majority of the jewelry was cast or die stamped and then hand assembled. In 1958 Rebajes sold his business and moved to Torremolinos Spain to work on his art projects although he did continue to make jewelry and decorative objects usually on a one of a kind basis."

Super early rare possibly even one of a kind 'Rocking Horse' brooch by Francisco Rebajes circa 1930s.

The Rebajes shop on Fifth Avenue NYC in the early 1940s.

Cupid's Arrow leads to Comedy & Tragedy and a Rocking Horse - all early works by Francisco Rebajes in copper - all available in my Ruby Lane shop...

www.rubylane.com/shop/califor...

#rebajes #rebajescopper #rebajesjewelry #nyc #handmade #copperjewelry #1930s #1940s #artdeco #design #modernism

a RARE pair of vintage 1940s handmade copper Art Deco Machine Age modernist S-shaped candlestick holders or candelabras by Francisco Rebajes of NYC. Rebajes was one of the earliest self-trained studio metalsmiths in the US, starting back in the early 1930s. He quickly went from selling his idiosyncratic jewelry creations on the street to a posh and stylish showroom on 5th Avenue in the 1940s! He sold his business in 1958, and moved to Torremolinos Spain where he worked on his famous Ovulos sculptures and one of a kind pieces of jewelry and decorative art. This pair of candelabra are entirely handmade from a very heavy gauge solid copper that has been formed into an overall S-shape and each with two tubes of copper that rise above the main body to hold the candles. Each measures 6-3/4" long by 3-1/4" tall by 3-1/4" wide, and the pair weigh 848.6 grams total or 1.87 pounds prior to packing. Both candelabra are marked as shown, "Rebajes" with his unique stylized mark. Excellent vintage condition. The only pair of this design that I have seen!

A super rare pair of vintage 1940s Francisco Rebajes handmade copper candelabra - are they Art Deco? or modernism? Avantgarde for sure...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #copper #franciscorebajes #nyc #handmade #candelabra #artdeco #modernism #geometry #rare #design #moderndesign

a SPECTACULAR pair of vintage 1930s 40s Art Deco handmade copper Stallions Horses wall-hanging artworks by Frank Rebajes of NYC. A fabulous pair very geometric treatment to the horses, and with hammered rim. The design looks influenced by early Picasso and Cubism! This pair are the largest pieces of wall-hanging art by Rebajes that I have seen! They are massive at 17.5" in diameter, and in incredible condition with just a few small flaws as shown! His earliest creations often show the influence of the Art Deco style and foreshadow the modernist era, and he also was hugely influenced by African and other tribal arts. The great thing about Rebajes and his unique creations in copper is that they will look great with any decor from Arts & Crafts to Art Deco to mid century modernist! Rebajes was one of the earliest studio jewelers in the US, starting back in the 1930s, but he also made a whole line of objects in copper as well including trays and wall plaques of all sizes and designs. He quickly went from selling his idiosyncratic creations on the street to a posh and stylish showroom on 5th Avenue!

A spectacular pair of vintage 1930s Francisco Rebajes NYC handmade copper Art Deco Horse Head platters/artworks - each measures 17.5" diameter!

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #copper #artdeco #handmade #artdecodesign #americancraft #franciscorebajes #nyc #horsehead #copperart

A rare set of vintage 1940s Frank Rebajes NYC handmade copper modernist centerpiece bowl with matching pair of candlesticks - each piece entirely handmade from one piece of copper that has been sawn and folded and given a black patina in parts - a versatile design that will look great with just about any decor!

A rare vintage 1940s Francisco Rebajes NYC handmade copper modernist centerpiece bowl with pair of matching candleholders...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#rebajes #copper #franciscorebajes #nyc #vintage1940s #modernism #moderndesign #vintagemodern #handmade #americancraft #design #midcentury

A 1930s Art Deco stylized leaves design handmade sterling silver cuff bracelet by Francisco Rebajes of New York City. This bracelet displays the mastery of Rebajes to create a design with so much detail from just one sheet of metal, that has been hammered and incised to create the repeating geometric Leaf motif that covers the top of the bracelet. This bracelet measures 2" wide at top and fits up to a 7.5" wrist presently but can be easily adjusted up or down several sizes as needed. Weighs a hefty 57.1 grams total. Marked on the cuff at one end, "Rebajes Sterling". Click on the link for further details... https://www.rubylane.com/item/1879775-4667/LOVELY-Vintage-1940s-Francisco-Rebajes-NYC?search=1

A spectacular one of a kind vintage 1950s Francisco Rebajes NYC handmade sterling silver & azurmalachite modernist cuff bracelet - fits up to 6.75" wrist presently, and can be adjusted up or down several sizes if needed! Click on the link below for further details: https://www.rubylane.com/item/1879775-3781/SPECTACULAR-One-Kind-Vintage-1950s-Francisco?search=1

A rare vintage 1950s Francisco Rebajes NYC handmade sterling silver Double Boomerang design modernist cuff bracelet - measures 2.25" wide, and presently fits up to 7.5" wrist! Click on the link below for further details: https://www.rubylane.com/item/1879775-3746/Vintage-1950s-Francisco-REBAJES-NYC-Handmade?search=1

A photo of Rebajes final mark used on a series of one of a kind jewelry items toward the end of his career in New York. His earlier pieces were just marked "Rebajes" as shown, and sometimes with "Sterling" if they were sterling not the more common copper jewelry that he made for most of his career. This one is marked "Original Hand Wrought Design Rebajes", and this bracelet is a one of a kind made by Rebajes himself. He made a series of these bracelets, all a simple band with a wire-setting for different stones. I've never seen the same stone twice, and this example is one of the most spectacular stones that I've seen in his one of a kind bracelets! See my other photo for a view of the bracelet from the top, and a link to visit the listing for it in my store.

Some of the sterling silver bracelets by Francisco Rebajes that I have for sale in my shop right now...
Click on the link below for further details.

www.rubylane.com/shop/califor...

#rebajes #nyc #rebajessterling #rebajesdesign #modernsilver #modernistjewelry #handmade #americanmodernistjewelry