Clara Bark Welles (1868–1965) was one of the most influential female silversmiths not only in Chicago, Illinois, but in the United States. Thirty-two-year-old Welles founded her shop after graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in September 1900. Within five years, her Kalo studio included more than twenty artisans, most of whom were of Scandinavian descent.

According to Kalo trademark registration document, her workshop produced a wide range of goods using silver. In particular, tableware and cutlery, toiletries and smoking accessories, picture frames, hair ornaments, dog collars, and more. Jewelry included bracelets, brooches, pins, buttons, chains, crosses, medallions, necklaces, rings, and clasps.

In 1905, Clara Bark married businessman George S. Welles, who encouraged her interest in jewelry and metalworking. Her workshop was located in suburban Park Ridge, Illinois until 1914, and her showroom was at 416 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago.

According to the Jewelers’ Circular of April 29, 1925, the Kalo Shop moved to a four-story building at 152 E. Ontario St. that Welles had purchased some time earlier. Since that time, the manufacturing portion of the business had been located in that building.

Clara Bark was part of the first generation of progressive “new women” to support the women’s suffrage movement. Her major contribution was to hire and train young women in jewelry making, from design to crafting, which was important during the Great Depression. Welles, 80, retired in 1948, and her employees continued to create Kalo jewelry until 1970.

Kalo, whose motto was “Beautiful, useful and durable”, drew inspiration from nature. Floral, fruit and foliage designs were handcrafted from silver and gold, often with the addition of semi-precious stones.

Kalo Shop Handwrought Silver Jewelry