Ken Beldin Copper Clip, Vintage 1950s Primitive

About Ken Beldin

In 1932, Ken Beldin, a successful adman sold his agency intending to retire.  Interested in indigenous culture and art, he was hired by a Mexican railway for an ad campaign and utilized his position to learn about Indian culture.  He roamed small towns soaking up the local art and traditions.  At the end of his contract, he continued to study archeological excavations with leading scientists becoming an authority on pre-Columbian art.

His travels also brought him sad knowledge of the malnourishment of the children of Mexico.  Determined to find a way to help them he once again consulted with scientists, this time nutritionists, to develop an inexpensive protein tortilla. 

To fund the manufacture and distribution of the food, Beldin created sculptures and jewelry inspired by pre-Columbian designs.  He called the jewelry Tikis and handcrafted the pieces from copper, silver, and other metals.  He mounted the sculptures, larger versions of his jewelry, on framed boards.  Living off his retirement savings, all sales proceeds benefited his nutrition campaign.   We found articles on his exhibitions in the United States from the 1950s through the mid-1970s.  Ken Beldin pieces are quite rare