DATE: Mid-Century, c.1940
Seaman Schepps was an American jeweller famous for his distinctive style jewellery. He was born in 1881, in Manhattan’s Lower East Side from a family of Hungarian immigrants, and his name was inspired by "Seaman’s Bank for Savings", visible from his mothers hospital room. As a young boy, he worked various odd jobs to help the family and was incredibly interested in the arts.
He later became a travelling salesman, making his way to Los Angeles where he opened his first shop in 1904 and was then married. After travelling cross country many of times, he eventually settled in NYC. Business was booming, and often clients wanted a one-of-a-kind piece, and commissioned Schepps to use their old jewellery to make a new design.
This piece, an oversized opal cabochon ring, very Arts and Crafts in style. The stone rests within a swirling gold settings, that spill onto the front of the stone. Claw settings hold it in place, and the stone displays gorgeous flashes of orange, green, red and blue- I haven't seen a stone like this before! Marked Seaman Schepps to the inner band, its crafted in 14k gold.
STONES
Opal Cabochon
MEASUREMENTS
Head: 3.4 x 1.8cm
Rise off finger: 1cm
Width of band: 1.2mm
WEIGHT
13.8g
MARKS
Stamped Seaman Schepps
Tests as 14k gold
CONDITION
Very good, light wear to the stone
Stone is slightly wobbly in the settings- easily fixed
