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Image Copyright Restricted
Fifty-two (42) jewelry designs for Seaman Schepps
Drawing by: Jordine Turboff (American (born in Russia))
Designed for: Seaman Schepps (American, founded in 1904)
Designed for: Seaman Schepps (American, founded in 1904)
American
1939–45
Object Place: New York City, United States
Medium/Technique
Watercolor and pencil on paper or mylar
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds donated by Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf
Accession Number2009.4632-4683
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Drawings
DescriptionThese designs were created by Jordine Turboff who came from Russia as a small child and grew up in Brooklyn, New York where she attended Pratt University. She worked for Seaman Schepps from 1939-1945, and her clients ranged from movie stars such as Marlene Dietrich, the Barrymores, Errol Flynn (who would often flirt with her), and Merle Oberon, to Eleanor Roosevelt and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She would often say that Mrs. Simpson had a taste for the richest stones and for the simplest designs. When she left Schepps in 1945, Mr. Schepps gave her these drawings (production and finished) as a wedding present. The lot represents only a fraction of her work. After leaving Schepps, Ms. Turboff concentrated on her painting, then using her married and middle name "Yari Levine" and is listed in many publications, including Who's Who in American Women.
Provenance1939-1945, designed by artist Jordine Turboff for Seaman Schepps in New York City; 1945, given by Schepps to Turboff on the occassion of her wedding; by descent to Turboff's son; September 15, 2009, sold by Skinner Auctioneers of Boston (lot 515) to the MFA. (Accession date: October 21, 2009)