Arts & Crafts Jade and Freshwater Pearl Necklace By Potter Studios

From turn-of-the-century Cleveland, comes this cool work of wearable art by the renowned (Horace) Potter Studios. Four vibrant glossy green natural jade cabochons serve as the center of attention, while modestly embellished with a neoclassical scroll design hand fabricated in (of course) in warmly burnished 14K yellow gold. A small round jade up top, and a lustrous white natural Mississippi River 'wing' pearl dancing below add the finishing touches to this distinctively striking, consummate and collectable Arts & Crafts jewel. The lavalière measures 2 3/4 inches, the original chain measures 16 inches. Accompanied by a gemological report from Stone Group Laboratory stating: Natural. No indications of polymers or dyes. Burma origin.

Courstesy of Silver Magazine May/June 2005 by Leslie Marting: Horace Ephraim Potter was born into a prosperous Cleveland family in 1873…. Potter began his studies [at the Cleveland School of Art (CSA)] in 1894, graduating in June 1898…. After graduation from CSA, Potter embarked upon a year of study with Amy Sacker at the Cowles School of Art in Boston. Potter exhibited in [the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts'] second annual exhibition in Copley Hall in April 1899, and at the conclusion of his studies received a master's degree, specializing in metal­work. Returning to Cleveland, he taught at the Cleveland School of Art from 1900 to 1909, giving classes in decorative design and historic ornament. While teaching, Potter established a studio in downtown Cleveland. In 1905 he moved to his family's farm on the edge of the city, converting a chicken coop where he and CSA classmates Wilhelmina Stephan and Ferdinand Burgdorff designed and made silver and jewelry…. Potter maintained strong ties with Boston, becoming a "craftsman" member of the Society of Arts and Crafts in 1907 and attaining master classification the following year. Potter spent four and a half months in England and Europe in the spring and summer of 1907, visiting Ashbee in August…. When Potter returned from his European trip in 1907, it was clear that his experience of Ashbee's Guild of Handicraft had confirmed his belief that the creative spirit was best nurtured when artists worked together. Moving to a series of locations on Euclid Avenue between 1910 and 1928, Potter expanded his space and founded Potter Studio. Potter may have been attempting to recreate the interdisciplinary atmosphere of Ashbee's guild by opening his premises to other artists as well. He employed fellow graduates and former students of the Cleveland School of Art, and welcomed artists in other mediums with lodging and studio space. R. Guy Cowan, the founder of Cowan Pottery, came to Cleveland in 1908 to establish a ceramics program at the city's innovative Technical High School. Potter became Cowan's landlord and supported his endeavors. Cowan founded his own business in 1913, but Potter purchased studio-made vessels as early as 1909 and embellished them with silver or pewter lids. Marrying fellow silversmith Florence Loomis in 1914, he went on to found Potter & Bentley Studios in 1928, and Potter & Mellen in 1933.