FITHIAN 4 Gumps SHOU Cufflinks & Mystery Accessory Original Box Vtg 50s Sterling

Description

From the legendary San Francisco emporium, Gump's, these vintage Sterling cufflinks and matching accessory are really handsome - and full of meaning as well!  The Gumps store was founded in 1861 and is internationally known for the quality of its offerings.  It has always had an East-West emphasis and fine jewelry has long been one of its specialties.
Featuring the Shou, Shu or Sho design, symbolizing good luck and longevity, they offer a fascinating study in geometric form, with the raised shapes of the Chinese character set against a recessed, darkly oxidized (deliberately darkened) ground for contrast, color and interest.  The eye catching and textural design continues to the edges, notching the faces, adding to their profile.  Powerful and handsome, they are Striking, Dramatic and will "Pop" against fabric.
With the clean lines and cool design that characterize the best mid-century modern studio jewelry, this great pair of vintage cuff links and matching accessory are by multi-talented Southern California artist Harold Clifton Fithian (1905 - 1972).  They came to me (along with a couple other pieces, soon to be listed) from a high end San Francisco estate.  These were found nestled together in their box with its accompanying card, shown in some of the photos.  Wish I knew how the disk with chain is worn!  If you know, I would love to hear from you.
The links are signed on the swiveling backs, as is the "C" shape at one end of the chain on the other piece, "fi Sterling" which is one of Fithian's signatures (last photo).  The links bear letters "SN" or "NS" on the findings bars, which is possibly an owner mark (not pictured).  The box is signed "GUMP'S San Francisco" in red ink on the underside of the lid.  And the accompanying card entitled "SHOU" reads: "The circular design is a Chinese good luck character called 'SHOU,' the symbol of long life.  A GUMP EXCLUSIVE"
The online magazine
Modern Silver
has a section on Fithian, where they note among other things, he was an actor and a musician, as well as a maker of jewelry, which he produced in the fifties and early sixties.  Interestingly, he also became active in social justice issues in the Great Depression and in the forties, traveled with Woodie Guthrie and others union-organizing farm workers, among other activities.
The box is heavy card board with gold flecks against a beige ground on the bottom of the box and underside of the top, while the outside of the top is covered half in textured green paper and half in gold foil.  It measures about 3-3/4" by about 3/4" by about 1-3/8" deep.  All three shou disc faces measure just over 3/4" diameter by about 1/8" deep or thick.  Overall length of the piece with the chain is about 3-1/2".  Together the sterling items weigh in at 20.3 grams.
All three pieces and the box are in Very Good vintage condition.  with just surface dirt, scratches and tarnish (more so on the accessory) as expected signs of wear for their age.  The layers of cotton inside the box are a little wrinkled/tattered.  The sterling has a fabulous vintage patina with that great oxidation creating contrasting very dark and lighter silver.  Just look at them; they really are Sensational.
With their interesting lines and excellent design and craftsmanship, these outstanding pieces are wearable works of art.  They would make a terrific gift, although I doubt you will want to part with them and with the Sho symbols, they may even provide their owner protection, longevity and good fortune!  They belong equally in collections of modernist design, Chinese symbolism, mid-century silver, studio jewelry and of course, cufflinks.  Their original Gump's box and card makes a wonderful presentation and of course, adds to their vintage value and allure.  As Richard Gump said in the title of his 1950s book, "
Good Taste Costs No More
," so why compromise?  This is a spectacular design from one of California's renowned artists -and Gump's - that will enhance your collection - and your outfit.
Please see our other listings for more great vintage jewelry, including cufflinks.
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.
Insured USPS First Class Shipping .99 (in a hard-sided box,
not
one of those flimsy bubble mailers) or Priority .99.  No additional charge for combined shipping on jewelry items.  No limit!
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