An exceptional one of a kind set of vintage 1950s 60s signed handmade sterling silver geometric modernist cufflinks with matching tie bar by renowned studio metalsmith Wesley Emmons of Philadelphia, PA. Entirely handmade in heavy gauge sterling silver with a drilled arrangement of dots in a grid, and one raised gold dot slightly off to the side. A metaphor? Pure geometry? No idea, but it's thought-provoking, a great design, and even better craftsmanship! Here’s a short biography of the artist: Born in 1928 in Pennsylvania, he served in the military just after WWII in Japan, then returned to the US to attend the Philadelphia Museum School of Art from 1950-1954. He graduated with a BFA in Jewelry and Silversmithing (the Museum School became the Philadelphia College of Art, PCA, and is now known as the University of the Arts). He opened his own gallery in 1954 and remained active in jewelry design and creation until just before his death in 2011. He also served as a crafts and jewelry instructor for the Philadelphia College of Art from 1954 to 1966. His art was shown at the Hickok Jewelry Exhibition, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1974 Touch of Gold), the Woodmere Gallery, the Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center (Craftsman 67). He was also commissioned by leading museums and galleries to restore priceless treasures. A "Wesley Emmons: Retrospective" was exhibited in The University of the Arts in 2003. (See my last three photos of the artist early on, later in life, and the exhibition card for the retrospective in 2003.) The cufflinks measure 11/16" square at fronts, and the tie bar measures 1-3/8" long by 11/16" wide. The set weighs 22.6 grams total. Marked at backs as shown, "925" for sterling silver, and the distinctive maker mark for Emmons. Excellent vintage condition.

One of a kind set of vintage 1950s sterling and gold geometric modernist Grid design cufflinks with matching tie bar by Wesley Emmons of Philadelphia PA.

Available...

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

#wesleyemmons #cufflinks #modernism #handmade #wearableart #art #americancraft #vintagecufflinks

An angular vintage 1950s 60s handmade sterling silver and synthetic corundum (ruby) modernist brooch pendant by Wesley Emmons of Philadelphia, PA. A striking no doubt one of a kind modernist piece of wearable art jewelry from early in the artist's career! Here's a short biography of Emmons that I compiled from online sources: Born in 1928 in Pennsylvania, he served in the military just after WWII in Japan, then returned to the US to attend the Philadelphia Museum School of Art from 1950-1954. He graduated with a BFA in Jewelry and Silversmithing (the Museum School became the Philadelphia College of Art, PCA, and is now known as the University of the Arts). He opened his own gallery in 1954 and remained active in jewelry design and creation until just before his death in 2011. He also served as a crafts and jewelry instructor for the Philadelphia College of Art from 1954 to 1966. His art was shown at the Hickok Jewelry Exhibition, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1974 Touch of Gold), the Woodmere Gallery, the Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center (Craftsman 67). He was also commissioned by leading museums and galleries to restore priceless treasures. A "Wesley Emmons: Retrospective" was exhibited in The University of the Arts in 2003. (See my last three photos of the artist early on, later in life, and the exhibition card for the retrospective in 2003.) This unique brooch measures 2.5" across by 2.25" high, and weighs 13.4 grams total. The faceted oval pinkish-purple synthetic ruby measures 15mm long by 10mm wide, and weighs about 5 carats. (Synthetic ruby is lab-created and shares all of the characteristics of natural ruby but without the flaws and impurities, and usually of significantly better coloring and size, and thus many artist-jewelers in the mid-century used the material extensively in their one of a kind creations.) Marked with the artist's maker mark, and "Sterling" for sterling silver. Excellent vintage condition.

Two views of this one of a kind vintage 1950s handmade sterling and corundum modernist brooch by Wesley Emmons of Philadelphia, PA.

Available in my Ruby Lane shop...

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

#wesleyemmons #pendant #wearableart #art #jewelry #jewelrydesign #modernsilver #vintagemodern #pin