Description
1960's Orb Mid Century Modern Brooch Otto Robert Bade 3" wide with no bends or<br>dents.<br><br>Otto R. Bade<br>A self taught silversmith, whose roots originate from a farm in Nebraska. Otto,<br>who had visited his grandfather to visit the 1940 World's Fair, realized that he<br>did not want to pursue the life of a farmer so, in 1941, he went to New York to<br>discover his future. He answered just one employment ad and showed up for the<br>interview. Frank (Francisco) Rebajes explained that he was looking for someone<br>to take his studio art pieces and increase production capability. He said to<br>Otto "See what you can do" and handed Otto one of his favorite pieces, the<br>"Ubangi Face". At the end of the day Frank was amazed. Otto had created some<br>jigs and a process to mass produce Franks art. Otto made in just one day, one<br>hundred perfect Ubangi Face sculptured pins. Frank knew then that his dream to<br>provide wearable art to the masses would now be realized.<br><br>Frank Rebajes was considered the first master in the art of copper jewelry and<br>crafts and Otto was the Foreman that insured the designs were artfully and<br>masterfully produced. More importantly Frank and Otto enjoyed a friendship that<br>would last a lifetime.<br><br>Rebajes Wearable Art was one of the top Jewelry producers in the 1940s and 50s<br>with hundreds of top stores accross the nation carrying the line. Otto, now with<br>decades of silversmithing skills left the company and started his own business<br>"Orb Originals" in 1958 with much success. Frank sold the Rebajes name and<br>business to Otto in 1960 and moved to Spain where he returned to small studio<br>work and his scientific research of the "Mobius".<br><br>With Otto's business growing, he had added the workshop, machinery, and catalog<br>designs from Rebajes. Business kept on growing and going quite well, until in<br>1981, when Otto was held up and severely pistol whipped leaving him in critical<br>condition. After a long recovery from the injuries, Otto and his wife Dae moved<br>to New Hope, PA.<br><br>Orb Silvermiths remains a staple to the community of New Hope, PA to this day.<br>Otto, now well into his nineties, is still instrumental in ensuring that the<br>Rebajes hallmark carries on with the traditions and craftsmanship that made the<br>Rebajes name so famous and sought after for over eighty years.
