For sale here is a very rare and probably one of a kind vintage 1940s 50s handmade copper abstract modernist brooch pin by American artist/designer Ben Lorenz (1916-2001) of New York City. Lorenz came to the US as an immigrant from Italy in 1920 with his family and grew up in New York. He anglicized his name from Bienianimo Lorenzini to Ben Lorenz as many immigrants did in those days to assimilate more easily into American culture. He attended the Art Students League of New York, and after graduating he started out as a commercial designer working for such luminaries as Norman Bel Geddes and Richard Loewy. He later opened his own design studio in the Empire State Building, and his clients included Chris Craft boats, Gar Wood boats, Magic Maid appliances, Sunbeam, and Nabisco, among others. He also made art jewelry in the 1940s and 1950s, and this is an outstanding example of one of his designs from that time. I feel it's likely that this, and others I will be listing in the next few days, were originally prototypes as they are not signed (except for one brooch that is hand signed and dated 1946), and were among his possessions that family members inherited after his death. This brooch measures 2-5/8" by 1-7/8", and weighs 34.7 grams total. Unmarked, but acquired from the artists family and originally from his estate. Excellent vintage condition with just some fine wear and tarnish as shown - please view the photos, read the description, and ask all questions prior to purchase. I am open to reasonable offers from serious buyers.