Robert Lee Morris
Robert Lee Morris’ jewelry designs effortlessly meld sensual, natural materials with bold and elegant forms. Influenced by cultures from around the world, Morris creates monumental pieces to complement the human form that appear both tribal and futuristic at once. His shimmering works echo the sublime beauty of nature and his use of organic materials imbues his designs with splendor and mystery.
Morris began his formal training studying art as well as archeology at Beloit College. After graduating, Morris founded a commune, which was loosely modeled on William Morris’ Arts and Crafts community. Morris created jewelry, teaching himself how to metalwork using hardware store materials. The commune burnt down in the 1970s, but Morris continued to hone his craft.
His works caught the eye of a respected gallery owner who displayed Morris’ work at the Sculpture to Wear gallery in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel alongside jewelry by Man Ray and Alexander Calder. 1976 his gladiatorial bubble necklace was featured prominently on the cover of Vogue launching Morris’ career to new heights. The following year Morris opened his Soho store Artware, collaborating with top fashion designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Geoffrey Beene, and Kansai Yamamoto and Cher, Oprah Winfrey and Bianca Jagger were among his acclaimed clients.
With bold and voluptuous, undulating lines, the jewelry of Robert Lee Morris has been featured prominently in the fashion shows of Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Anna Klein and Michael Kors. Morris was honored in a retrospective exhibition, Metalmania: Robert Lee Morris, at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1996. In 2007, he was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), securing his place as one of the most innovative and inventive jewelry designers in history.
Robert Lee Morris’ jewelry designs effortlessly meld sensual, natural materials with bold and elegant forms. Influenced by cultures from around the world, Morris creates monumental pieces to complement the human form that appear both tribal and futuristic at once. His shimmering works echo the sublime beauty of nature and his use of organic materials imbues his designs with splendor and mystery.
Morris began his formal training studying art as well as archeology at Beloit College. After graduating, Morris founded a commune, which was loosely modeled on William Morris’ Arts and Crafts community. Morris created jewelry, teaching himself how to metalwork using hardware store materials. The commune burnt down in the 1970s, but Morris continued to hone his craft.
His works caught the eye of a respected gallery owner who displayed Morris’ work at the Sculpture to Wear gallery in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel alongside jewelry by Man Ray and Alexander Calder. 1976 his gladiatorial bubble necklace was featured prominently on the cover of Vogue launching Morris’ career to new heights. The following year Morris opened his Soho store Artware, collaborating with top fashion designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Geoffrey Beene, and Kansai Yamamoto and Cher, Oprah Winfrey and Bianca Jagger were among his acclaimed clients.
With bold and voluptuous, undulating lines, the jewelry of Robert Lee Morris has been featured prominently in the fashion shows of Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Anna Klein and Michael Kors. Morris was honored in a retrospective exhibition, Metalmania: Robert Lee Morris, at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1996. In 2007, he was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), securing his place as one of the most innovative and inventive jewelry designers in history.
Auction Results Robert Lee Morris
Robert Lee Morris
Triple row silver showpiece
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $8,125
Robert Lee Morris
Percussion bracelet
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $6,250
Robert Lee Morris
Golden Petal Waterfall necklace
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $6,250
Robert Lee Morris
Golden Petal Waterfall necklace
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $5,760
Robert Lee Morris
Jumbo disc belt
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $2,750
Robert Lee Morris
A gold link necklace
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,500
Robert Lee Morris
Hunter's Cuff
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,304
Robert Lee Morris
A silver and turquoise bracelet
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $2,000
Robert Lee Morris
A gold and quartz ring
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $1,270
Robert Lee Morris
gold belt
estimate: $500–700
result: $300
Robert Lee Morris
necklace
estimate: $8,000–10,000
Robert Lee Morris
A silver dagger necklace
estimate: $1,200–1,800
Robert Lee Morris
A Medicine pectoral
estimate: $6,000–8,000
Robert Lee Morris
Fading Waterfall necklace
estimate: $4,000–6,000
Robert Lee Morris
A forged silver collar
estimate: $4,000–6,000
Robert Lee Morris
A bullet head necklace
estimate: $3,000–5,000
Robert Lee Morris
Stairway headpiece
estimate: $2,000–3,000
Robert Lee Morris
choker
estimate: $7,000–9,000
Robert Lee Morris
A copper, silver and brass choker
estimate: $4,000–6,000
Robert Lee Morris
Percussion bracelet
estimate: $5,000–7,000
Robert Lee Morris
hunter's cuff
estimate: $2,500–3,500
Robert Lee Morris
choker from the Mandala Collection
estimate: $3,000–5,000
Robert Lee Morris
gold and quartz ring
estimate: $1,500–2,000
Robert Lee Morris
gold belt
estimate: $3,000–4,000