Harold O'Connor 18K Gold and Oxidized Sterling Silver Modernist Earrings, c 2000
Harold O'Connor 18K yellow gold and oxidized sterling silver unusual modernist earrings. On the verso, marked 750 for 18K and 925 for sterling silver and with the Harold O'Connor mark, these earrings show the very unusual motifs and workmanship by this accomplished goldsmith.
With a almost organic stylized motif of 18K gold applied on oxidized sterling silver with an etched pattern, these earrings measure 1-1/8th inches in diameter. They are now for a pierced ear and can be modified to accommodate a non pierced ear.
It is the extent of stylistic dexterity in granulation and fused metals that explains why Harold O'Connor's pieces have been sought by and are now part of the permanent collections of both the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Inspired by sculptors like Isamu Noguchi and David Smith, Harold O'Connor's stylistic odyssey is not unlike that of Jean Mahie (Jacline Mazard). They both have been challenged by sculpture and considered their jewels to be smaller versions that people could wear.
However whereas Mazard has been almost completely self-taught, O'Connor has sought out strategic specialists like Elizabeth Treskow, a world famous grannularist from Cologne and used her circle as his teachers. Indeed granulation and fused metals especially titanium, gold and silver have informed O'Connor's irresistible temptation to explore texture, form and nuanced colors associated with them.
Please note our model is a medium to large size.
All items sold are accompanied by a detailed Statement of Value by our gemologist, as well as all original gemological documentation, if specified in the listing. As always, we guarantee all of pieces to be exactly as represented. Each piece of jewelry arrives in a finely gift-wrapped presentation box.
Over the decades of our stewardship as a small but exemplary purveyor of the jeweler's art, we have strived to offer a fine and authentic selection, in excellent condition, of collectible jewels from all highly sought time periods at competitive prices and even lower prices, if possible. In the process we have had the extraordinary good fortune of meeting remarkable people - some collectors, others just extremely interesting individuals who have taken the time and effort to examine their lives and select things that tend to make them smile, or admire, or just wonder at the exciting endlessly creative and nuanced panoply of jeweled artifacts.