Metalwork 

While at Columbia studying for his masters in education and teaching, Gilbert Adam Schoenbrod became acquainted with an master Arabian silversmith, Yussef Najjar, who opened up the world of metal working for him. In an interview given in 1972, Schoenbrod elaborates: "My dark-eyed, rotund friend from Arabia taught me the ancient crafts of the East— arts of the silversmith and goldsmith." Schoenbrod also indicates in this same interview that it was through his relationship with Najjar that he was guided to his new home, Carmel, California. "We traveled from my studio-home in Connecticut, just wandering across the land. One day we chanced upon another world of rich and deep vibrations that called me to another home."  In 1949, Schoenbrod relocated to Carmel, California with his wife Florence. In this artists haven he opened his first studio, Silver Studio, in the Court of the Golden Bough. Here he crafted his truly unique jewelry pieces, each designed for the customer in mind. Schoenbrod explains: "I sketched their (the customers) portraits and built the jewelry as part of the intrinsic self. One set, designed for the wife of the head Chaplain of the U.S. Navy, was conveyed with a motorcycle escort from the New York post office, down Fifth Avenue, and home to his lady as an anniversary gift" (Schoenbrod, 1972).  Schoenbrod cast many pieces specifically to adorn his artwork whether it be figures that were placed on his drift wood sculptures or designs that he would adhere directly to the class of his framed pieces. During his life Schoenbrod designed jewelry for Georg Jensen, Sax Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor, American House and other fine jewelers of Boston and New York.