Sam Kramer (1913-1964)

Modernist Jeweler

c.1939:  Studied Gemology at NYU

c.1940:

• Opened the Studio of Sam Kramer
• Very influential in the Jewelry movement in Greenwich Village mid-Century
• Married Carol Enners – then trained her to be a jeweler
• Placed expression before technique
• pieces were often rough and irreverent.
• Combining surreal creatures and  displaced body parts
• avoided Cubism and Constructivism because he objected to their geometry

1960 – 1964:

• Simplified his designs and created some limited-production pieces

Today: He is considered among the most significant American Modernist Jewelers.