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Herman Roth
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Born	Herman Nehemiah Roth (1901-09-04)September 4, 1901 New York, NY
Died	February 19, 1968(1968-02-19) (aged 66)
Education	The Cooper Union, The Museum of Modern Art, Rochester Institute of Technology
Known for	Silversmith
Movement	American modernism
Spouse	Charlotte Roth

Herman Roth

Herman Nehemiah Roth (September 4, 1901 – February 19, 1968), was a prominent mid-twentieth century American modernist, designer, silversmith designer, silversmith and educator. Born in New York City, his work is ranked among the top of 20th century contemporary American silversmiths. His artistic vision coupled with his mastery of the silversmiths' craft created hand wrought masterpieces for the tabletop, liturgy and wearable art jewelry. His wife, Charlotte Roth, also an accomplished artist, was an oil painter and an enamellist.

Biography

Early

Herman Roth was born September 4, 1901 in New York City. He was the first son of Rose and Abraham Roth, immigrants from Munkacz, Hungary. He was a creative and inventive child. His first award, the Wanamaker Gold Medal Award, was for a watercolor he painted at the age of 12. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1918. He furthered his education at The Cooper Union, New York, NY from 1918- 1920.

Career

After retiring from a career as a chemist in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he worked for the United States Post Office. He continued with his life long interest in art and creativity and developed a number of inventions. He received numerous patents on these innovative inventions, which he was able to sell during the depression to companies such as Kodak and the major airlines. He followed his passion for creating and became immersed in silversmithing.

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He furthered his study with art and silversmithing with classes at The Museum of Modern Art; Craft Students League 840 Eighth Ave, NY; 92nd Street YMCA, NY; and the Rochester Institute of Technology (School for American Craftsmen). He also had the opportunity to study with other contemporary silversmiths, Adda Husted-Anderson, Jewelry, and Enameling; Rudolph Schumaker, silversmithing, hollowware; Baron Eric von Fleming court silversmith to his majesty the King of Sweden; and Hans Christensen at Rochester Institute of Technology. He eventually turned his career full-time to silversmithing. In 1957 he opened his studio to the public at 94 Boston Post Road in the town of Larchmont, NY.

As a master designer/silversmith he designed original handwrought sterling silver pieces and limited production pieces as well as one of a kind commissions for individuals, celebrities, corporations and the U.S government. He did some collaborative work with his wife and her enameling, as well as some collaborative work with his daughter, Eunice Roth Michaels. Their daughter Eunice R. Michaels, (b. 1926) as an educated and trained artist, brought that skill set with her when she then worked closely with her father mastering the art of the silversmith.

The collaborative way they discussed, argued, and defended a design in development (whether it was one of his or hers), refined the concept and the modelmaking process, prior to creating the prototype. His work was carried by and sold by Georg Jensen NY from 1957 - 1968.

Herman Roth's interest in Judaic (his own faith) and Christian art led to his designing and making religious pieces in silver, at an age when most men are willing to relax, Mr. Roth is more active then ever. Fifty per cent of his output consists of religious pieces- chalices, pattens, menorahs. "It is the most rewarding work I've done", he says. He is expressing his faith in his craft so that others may express theirs. He has turned down high salaried, permanent positions in large silver houses so that he could continue his personal commitment to churches and synagogues. A great deal of his time is spent lecturing and teaching throughout the country to preserve and continue the craft that expresses his faith. When asked about his own faith, he said, "There has always been someone looking out for me. If it had been left up to me I'd have made a mess of it."

Teaching

Herman Roth was also a teacher, whether holding classes in his own studio in Larchmont, NY, the The Museum of Modern Art, or in a university setting he influenced hundreds of students in the 1950's and '60's. He held many lectures and demonstrations of silversmithing and enameling for many organizations, several of which were televised. He was an innovator and visionary; modern silver for a modern society.

• The Museum of Modern Art, NY - Jewelry & Design 1955 - 1961
• Kent State University, OH - Guest Instructor in Art Metal 1954
• Mamaroneck HS - Adult Education Jewelry & Metal Craft 1952 -1958
• 22 Street YMCA , NY - Art Metal 1953, 1954
• Riverdale Association, NY - Enameling 1956, 1957
• Herman Roth Studio Larchmont, NY Workshop - School of Silversmithing & Jewelry 1957 - 1968
• Craft Students League, NY - Silversmithing, 1961 - 1967

Organizations

Herman Roth was involved in many organizations that paved the way for the American Craft Movement of the latter half of the 20th century. These organizations gained from his involvement: American Crafts Council, Artist/Craftsman of New York (Herman Roth was listed as Metals, enamels, jewelry, instructor). He was president of New Rochelle Art Association from1953-1956 and a director from 1953-1965. He was vice-president as well as jury chairman the New York Society of Craftsmen in 1953 and 1957. He was a member of the Westchester Arts and Crafts Guild, York State Craftsmen, Craft Students League, NY and a member of the Larchmont Rotary Club.

Recognition

Exhibitions

• The Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
• Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklin, NY
• Brussels World's Fair 1958 (one of 12 metalsmiths whose works were selected for the exhibition)- sterling silver Hors D'Oeuvre Set with Ebony Handles
• The Art Institute of Chicago, IL
• American Crafts Museum (formerly, the Contemporary Crafts Museum), NY, NY
• The Cooper Union, NY, NY
• Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
• The Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, OH
• University of Georgia, Athens, GA
• God and Man in Art, organized and circulated by the American Federation of the Arts, March 1958 thru March 1959
• The Museum of Modern Art, NY, NY
• Huntington Galleries, Huntington West, VA 1955
• Jewish Museum, NY, NY Permanent collection - sterling silver and ebony Menorah
• Philadelphia Art Alliance: Exhibition of Contemporary Liturgical Art, Philidelphia, PA 1963
• Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences Silver Heirlooms of Today and Tomorrow, Rochester, NY Aug-Nov. 1952
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Craftsmen USA sponsored by the American Federation of Arts 1953
• St. Paul Minnesota Galleries, MN National Craft Competition
• Syracuse Museum of Fine Art, Syracuse, NY
• Royal Ontario Museum, Onterio, Canada
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA
• Walker Art center, Minneapolis Outstanding Contemporary Designers of Jewelry 1955, shuttle pin
• Wichita Art Museum, KS National Decorative Arts and Ceramics show
• University of Wisconsin, Madison , WI

Publications

• Winebrenner, D. Kenneth, JEWELRY MAKING AS AN ART EXPRESSION, International TextbookCo, Scranton, NY 1953. In the section on chasing and repousse, p. 110, 111 illustration 243: "Chased silver forms in a necklace by Herman Roth, Larchmont, NY"

• Bovin, Murry, SILVERSMITHING AND ART METAL OR SCHOOLS.TRADESMEN.CRAFTSMEN, Published by the author, Forest Hills, LI, NY, 1963. P. 131 "Gravy Bowl and Ladle, Sterling Silver and Ebony, Herman Roth."p. 133 "Coffee Set" (Coffee Pot, Covered Sugar and Creamer) "Silver and Ebony. Herman Roth"

• THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA, Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Chicago,1960, (and on) edition, Volume A. p. 621, section on ART AND THE ARTS. (illustrated is the dancer pendant with chain): "Herman Roth Craftsmanship in Silver produces a work of art in this decorative handmade pendant."

• Schon, Marbeth, MODERNIST JEWELRY 1930 - 1960, THE WEARABLE ART MOVEMENT, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Atglen, PA, 2004: p. 172, p.263, Chapter 9, MAKERS MARKS