Robert/fashioncraft

Original by ROBERT

Fashioncraft Jewelry
Robert Levy, David Jaffe and Irving Landsman
1942-1979
(copyright symbol used after 1955)

FASHIONCRAFT
New York, NY 1942-1979
Fashioncraft was made from about 1942-1979 by the maker of Robert jewelry.
The name Fashioncraft was used first in the early 1940s and then, according to
Fred Rezazadeh’s book "Costume Jewelry", about 1960
the name "Originals by Robert" began to be used. Judith Miller in her
book "Costume Jewelry" says the same.

ROBERT

There was also a line of Fashioncraft jewelry that looked similar to the Hobe
wire work pieces of the 1940-50s. Some of those pieces can be seen below. The
designs in the wirework itself are a bit different from those used by Hobe, but they
are similar and unsigned pieces are sometimes confused.

FASHIONCRAFT Robert brooch in the
Hobe style with pink, pale pink, blue and pale blue rhinestones set in gold tone
wire work, signed Fashioncraft Robert on the back, circa 1950, domed and 2" wide
and 7/8" deep. View
View
View #X36776

FASHIONCRAFT ROBERT brooch in the style of 1940s Hobe, 2". This domed
round brooch is set with a row of clear glass cabochons at the edge, and
aqua and pale pink rhinestones in a hand worked wire filigree settings. Is
it marked on the back, "Fashioncraft Robert". There are flea bites in two or
three of the aqua stones, almost invisible even under magnified
examination.

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View #X39243

ROBERT Fashioncraft Hobe style brooch with pink, blue, green and clear
rhinestones set in gold tone metal wire work, hand made, 3" by 2-1/4".

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View #X37893

HORSE gilt sterling hand crafted figural brooch with red, blue, pink, purple,
green and yellow unfoiled rhinestones. Gold tone chains create the mane and tail.
There is soft
finish wear as seen in the picture, with some gold rubbed through to silver on the front, but
it is still absolutely lovely, circa 1946. It is 2-5/8" from head to hoof,
3" from ear to back leg, with 3" long chain fringe. This
example is
unsigned, although probably by Fashioncraft Robert. There is a book piece that is similar
and can be seen in Judith Miller’s "Costume Jewelry" on page 198,
where she attributes it to Robert. In the picture of the advertisement for
this pin shown

here, there are some subtle differences. But this is made exactly
like one I owned marked "Fashioncraft Robert". So I have owned
three similar horse pins, one unsigned, one signed "Fashioncraft Robert’ and
one signed "Original by Robert".

View #Y36182 $398.00

ORIGINAL by ROBERT gilt sterling hand crafted figural horse brooch with colorful prong set
rhinestones and chain mane and tail, circa 1946. It is 2-5/8" from head to
hoof, 3" from ear to back leg, with 3" long chain fringe. The gold colored
finish is rubbed through to silver a bit on the horse’s body, but otherwise
it is in excellent condition with all the rhinestones in place. The
rhinestones colors are rose, purple, pink, green and topaz. It is signed on
the back, "Originals by Robert" and
the word "sterling" on one leg. I have also
had these marked "Fashioncraft", another line made by Robert. It can be seen
in Judith Miller’s book "Costume Jewelry" on page 198, and in the picture of
the advertisement shown

here. In the ad is states that this brooch was "Exclusive with
Sage-Allen, in Hartford, Connecticut".

View

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#X38651 $398.00

FASHIONCRAFT ROBERT gilt sterling hand crafted figural horse brooch with colorful
rhinestones and chain mane and tail, circa 1946. It is 2-5/8" from head to
hoof, 3" from ear to back leg, with 3" long chain fringe. The gold
colored finish is rubbed through to silver a bit on the horse’s body, but
all the rhinestones are brilliant, in place and in excellent condition. The
rhinestones are colored red, purple, aqua, blue, green and topaz. It
is signed on the back, "Fashioncraft Robert". I have also had this marked
"Original by Robert, and both names were used by Robert. This style
of horse
brooch can be seen in Judith Miller’s book "Costume Jewelry" on page 198,
where she attributes it to "Robert",
and in the picture of the original advertisement, shown

here. View

View View #X39430 $398.00

ADVERTISEMENT for the Robert horse brooch. The ad reads,
"Original Robert. Dramatic modern antique. Exciting range of motion captured in this unusual
Robert Original. Entirely hand crafted, smartly fringed mane and tail
combine dramatically with finely cut, richly hued jewels. A truly
distinctive piece! Pin shown $25.00, jeweled earrings $15.00 plus
Federal tax. Exclusively with Sage Allen in Hartford, Connecticut."
Vogue Magazine, 1946

I have owned three of these brooches, each a bit different from the other.
Not only are the rhinestones a bit different in color, but the position of
the legs is different as well. After looking at these and others like them
on line and in books, it is my opinion that they were all made by the same
company.

ROBERT green, pink, yellow and
lavender unfoiled rhinestone in wire work settings 2-1/4" brooch and 1"
earrings. #X32730

ORIGINAL by ROBERT
necklace with aqua, pink and clear unfoiled rhinestones set in gold tone
filigree with lovely gold tone chain and stations, 15" by 1-1/4". Marked
on the back with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark. View
View #R34713

ORIGINAL
by ROBERT brooch in his Fashioncraft style, green, pink and purple
unfoiled stones set in gold tone metal wire twist filigree, fringe moves
when worn, flip-up pendant loop on the back, 3-1/3" by 1-7/8".

View #X37935

One
piece of this same set can be seen in Judith Miller’s book "Costume Jewelry"
on page 198.

FASHIONCRAFT by Robert circa 1946 unsigned bracelet, brooch and two pins
made of faceted black glass crescents and aqua and pink rhinestones set in gold tone
with chain fringe.
The extra large brooch is 5-5/8" by 3-3/4" including the long gold tone fringe,
the two crescent pins are 1-3/4" each, and the bracelet is a wearable size
of 7" long and 1-3/4" at the widest. I make this attribution in part from

THIS AD ad from a 1946 Vogue Magazine as well as from years of
experience with this maker. HERE
is another great bracelet from this series, which I once owned. I had it several years ago and it
makes me wonder what other wonderful pieces were made in this series. Every
piece is in excellent condition.

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View #O38480

ORIGINAL by ROBERT blue
and green art glass, cabochon and rhinestones brooch, 3". Marked on
the back with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark, circa 1960.
View #X27452

ORIGINAL by ROBERT 2-1/2″ brooch
with aqua glass cabochons and aqua and blue rhinestones. Marked on the back
with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark, circa 1960
View #R24599
NOTE: Contrary to what we have seen on line now and again, we have found no
conformation that "Robert" of this jewelry ever worked
as a designer for
the Miriam Haskell Jewelry company.

ORIGINAL by ROBERT brown
and gray cabochons, rhinestones and artificial pearls brooch, 2-1/2". Marked
on the back with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark, circa 1960
View #R26914

ORIGINAL by ROBERT brooch with aqua and white art glass stones and
artificial pearls all set in gold tone metal, 2-1/8" by 2-1/8". Each
of the larger stones is slightly different, and all are lovely. This is in
excellent condition and marked on the back with the "Original by Robert" on
a palette mark, circa 1960.

View #X39014

ORIGINAL by ROBERT pink and green
rhinestones and marbled cabochons brooch, 2-7/8". Marked on the
back with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark, circa 1960.
View #R26050

ORIGINAL BY ROBERT purple and
lavender opalescent cabochons and rhinestones in antique gold tone setting
butterfly brooch, 2-3/4". Marked on the back with the "Original by
Robert" on a palette mark.
View #X31180

ROBERT Original by Robert
purple glass cabochon links bracelet set in slightly matte gold tone,
fabulous in person, circa 1955, 6-3/4" by 1-1/4". Marked on the back
with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark.
View #R35487

ORIGINAL by Robert dragon’s
breath and blue cab brooch, 2". I enjoy the way the stones are in
different settings, and the wonderful twisted limb-like
setting is in antiqued gold tone, and it’s substantial, circa 1960.
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View #X40888

ROBERT blue and green dangling
beads and rhinestones brooch and earrings with artificial pearl accents, all
set in gold tone, brooch 3" earrings 1-5/8".
View #X64781

ROBERT red enameled apple brooch with
worm and green leaves, alls et in gold tone, 2-1/8" by 1-1/2". A
whimsical fruit delight! #X36030

ORIGINAL by ROBERT aqua and clear rhinestones necklace, bracelet and
earrings in a very Hobe 1950’s style. The necklace is 16" with a 3-1/2" wide
front element and a 1/2" wide braided gold tone mesh, convertible to a
brooch; bracelet 6-3/4" wearable size and 1-1/3" at the widest; clip back
earrings 1". The necklace and bracelet are both marked "Original by Robert",
the matching earrings are not marked. The set is in excellent condition with
no flaws at all.

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View View #X38732

ROBERT earrings with caramel and tan glass textured and pearlized
beads and accented with clear rose montee and set in gold tone
filigree, 1-1/8" clip backs.

View #O28569

ROBERT hand painted portrait
pin, 2". Marked on the back with the "Original by Robert" on a
palette mark. View #R25207

ROBERT style frame with pastel
rhinestones on a Cyma wind up clock, 3-1/2" by 4". Marked on the
back with the "Original by Robert" on a palette mark.
View
View #R26600

ROBERT man in hat brooch,
heavier than some I have had and more nicely made, 2". Signed on the
back just "Robert" in script. View
#A62015

ROBERT Original by Robert orange-yellow and green enamel flower brooch
with a glass pearl center,
3-5/8". View
#A61944

ROBERT necklace
and earrings in faceted glass black and gold tone beads and tiny seed
beads in a flower shape, 8-strand necklace is 18" wearable length, clip
back earrings are 1-1/3". #X65731

ROBERT
Original by Robert genuine sea shells, orange glass "coral", clear
rhinestones and glass pearls brooch and earrings, all set in gold tone metal,
brooch 2-1/4" by 2", clip back earrings 1-1/2", all pieces signed
"Original by Robert".

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View #X37836

ORIGINAL by ROBERT aqua glass seed bead 42-strand necklace with
enameled flower catch backed with gold tone metal, an 18" wearable length with a
2" flower catch.

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View #X38490