Hi Group,
This one has me puzzled. An interesting pair of earrings marked CHENET?? . I have searched all my books and internet but I cannot find
any information. Does anyone have any information or leads? I am not even sure what the symbols are. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
in advance.
Pebbles
Need Help in Identifying CHENET Sterling Earrrings
Re: Need Help in Identifying CHENET Sterling Earrrings
Winifred Mason Chenet - influential American Modernist jewelry designer and mentor of renowned African American Modernist jewelry designer Art Smith. Her jewelry was produced from the 40' through the 80's according to some sources and this particular bracelet is from her Voodoo series in the 60's. Winifred was educated at New York University graduating with a masters of arts degree in education in 1936 where she was listed in the NAACP magazine The Crisis as a MA graduate. She eventually began to fulfill her destiny as a designer with her first creation of jewelry in 1940 and thereafter her popularity soared, eventually being represented in high end department stores in New York City. According to the same source she had a shop in Greenwich Village where she created and sold her modernist jewelry and worked with the celebrated designed Art Smith. She was determined to keep each piece unique despite the increasing demand. She was very interested in Haiti culture and creativity and spent 5 months in that country where she immersed herself in their lifestyle returning home with ideas for a new line.