Miniature Masterpieces: Please Help ID Mark. Andrew & Betsy Wyeth?
Not sure if I'm on the correct board for help? These boxes are very recent purchases from a Lower Merion, Pennsylvania thrift. They're tiny (largest size: 2-1/2 in.) little masterpieces to my eyes (just look at that little girl blowing-bubbles, or chasing butterflies with her net, so darn cute! 😊). They're made of very heavy, thick-gauge sterling, 18K, 14K, ivory, and semi-precious stones. The triangular piece at bottom center is an early piece by Philadelphia native, Donald Pywell (1944 - 2016). All these lil' guys I believe were made by Pennsylvania(?) gold/metalsmiths circa, 1960s. Pywell worked extensively with both Andrew & Betsy Wyeth for many years, with Betsy often commissioning pieces from Pywell. Hence my question......
The pieces at far left & right are marked with a conjoined/monogram: ABW or AB. Could these be by/for the Wyeth's or another smith all together? Maybe it's: APM for Albert Paley Metalworks (also, a native of Philadelphia and worked in the same materials to create his works of art). I thank you all so much for your time and help.
P.S. these are keepers and will not be going up for sale. Thank you all again!
jpgharv29
OP8 months agoThank you! And yes, I do understand that's the maker's mark just above the word Sterling. I've been banging my head against everything in my way striving to ID it.
There were 8 boxes in total, 3 got away (sold to someone else 😡) and one is not pictured in the above photos (it's very small, quite plain, tubular in shape and has a carved stone on the lid in the form of an human? eye).
The pieces pictured I believe are from the American (Philadelphia/Bucks County area) Studio Craft Movement (circa, 1940s - 1970s) one-off examples of fine works of art. Just beauty! The images do them no justice whatsoever. The carved abstract mammoth ivory piece at top center has an interior of inlaid carved wood, lined with thick-gauge 14K yellow gold riveted bands.
1940fc
·8 months agoThose are absolutely beautiful!!!
Just like dream, hoping someone can offer some more info.
southernmermaid8
·8 months agoLovely! It definitely looks like AB, but I’ve never heard of Andrew and Betsy Wyeth.
Also hoping someone that knows is by soon.
dream*peddler
·8 months agoOh, I thought you were wondering if that mark might be a monogram for Andrew and Betsy Wyeth vs. a maker's mark.
I've been a Bucks County native for over 50 years and have spent a good deal of time in New Hope and surrounding towns. The vibe is definitely artistic so I wouldn't be surprised if these treasures were locally made.
Sorry you missed out on 3 of the boxes, but glad you were able to snag the ones you did!
jpgharv29
OP8 months agoYes, that's exactly what I was asking/thinking. Please let me explain as I may have some confused?.....
3 of the 4 pieces posted are marked. One I know for sure is marked and made by, Donald Pywell. The other two are marked with a conjoined/monogram mark: AB?, ABW?, ABP?, etc.
Pywell was commissioned by the Wyeth's and also worked in conjunction with the Wyeth's (especially, Betsy) on numerous occasions on one-off designed pieces of jewelry.
Pywell also worked in conjunction with an artist by the name of, Andre Harvey. They both sometimes collaborated on jewelry designs. Some of their pieces are marked with a conjoined/monogram mark: HP (Harvey & Pywell)...
The 2 boxes at far right and left are marked with a conjoined/monogram mark: AB?, ABW?, ABP?
Could that conjoined/monogram mark stand for: Andrew & Betsey?, Andrew Betsey Wyeth?, Andrew Betsey Pywell?
Or.......could those marks be by another artisan all together?
dream*peddler
·8 months agoWhat a remarkable group of boxes! You're so luck you found them! Most of us here collect costume jewelry, although there are a couple fine jewelers in this group. My gut feeling tells me that the mark above the sterling is a maker's mark and not someone's initials. Hopefully, more sets of eyes will show up to render some help. Good luck in your research. I'd love to hear more about them!