SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!
Silver Jewelry Forum
How to Post Photos

Want to be a Moderator?
customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  Silver Jewelry
tline3open  Betty Cooke

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Betty Cooke
Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 06-01-2007 02:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to purchase a group of silver items by Betty Cooke. This grouping includes the items pictured below: cufflinks, a pendant, a brooch, two single ear rings, and the other, round pieces shown. These round pieces, nearly all of which are in pairs, lack findings of any kind and were probably originally intended to be earrings, although as so many are slightly imperfect, Betty Cooke may have decided to set them aside rather than making them into a product for sale. The dealer from whom I purchased this collection had acquired these pieces from a woman who was an art teacher who worked with and befriended Betty Cooke in the late 50s/early 60s. The pieces are all unsigned, save for the cufflinks and yellow bird pendant which are stamped COOKE. Betty Cooke loves to depict birds in her work, and to see so many of her amusing and fascinating birds at once is a joy and the main reason I bought this collection.

Betty Cooke is a Modernist jeweler located in Baltimore. She still works today.

IP: Logged

FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 06-01-2007 10:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Paul,
What a great find! It is not usual to find enameled examples of her work. Congratulations.

Fred

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 09-03-2007 03:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

More to come...Stay tuned. wink

IP: Logged

Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 09-04-2007 08:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That's a great piece! Is it a pin?

I can't wait to see what else you have to show.

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 09-04-2007 11:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes it is a pin ... about 1 inch. A group of us are going to collaborate on something... Hopefully soon..... Stay tuned.

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 09-05-2007 05:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
one more....

IP: Logged

FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 09-05-2007 06:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Scott,

Those are great Cooke pins. I'm soooo envious!

Fred

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 10-02-2007 02:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had expected we would have had our Betty Cook article done by now.....

We are getting closer. I just finished editing the photos and the first draft is done. While the daft is reviewed and the photos are selected, I felt we needed to share with you another photo.

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 10-08-2007 01:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here is a preview to the Betty Cooke Article.

IP: Logged

FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 10-08-2007 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That is wonderful Scott! This the sort of information that should be gathered on as many folks as we can. Thanks for the effort and research.

Fred

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 10-08-2007 03:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks.

I was only responsible for a small part, the rest was a group effort. The group wants to remain anonymous.

IP: Logged

FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 10-08-2007 06:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is efforts and articles like this and the one that Marbeth Schon did of an interview with Cooke, that help us to appreciate these craftsmen and women and to understand what an influence they have had on us and the way we look at jewelry.

My hat off to you and your anonymous elves.

Fred

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 10-14-2007 06:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The additional Betty Cooke images went up after the article so if you didn't see page two (click here).

IP: Logged

doc

Posts: 728
Registered: Jul 2003

iconnumber posted 10-17-2007 06:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for doc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This month's antique jewelry column in Maine Antiques Digest has a picture of another lovely Betty Cooke brooch of wood, silver and gold, which was sold at a recent auction. Not having heard of Ms. Cooke's work prior to this posting, it's fun to learn about her. A definite stop on my next trip to Baltimore!

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 02-23-2008 11:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am interested in seeing more examples of Betty Cook's designs. I especially like her enamels .... If you have examples please post them.

The Betty Cooke Article includes lots of photos.

Thanks

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 02-28-2015 12:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Early photo of Betty at work:

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 03-01-2015 06:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I believe (not sure) this is another early photo of Betty Cooke. Can anyone confirm?

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices