Marcus & Co. Antique Egyptian Revival Enamel Gold Scarab Bracelet
View Similar Items
Marcus & Co. Antique Egyptian Revival Enamel Gold Scarab Bracelet
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Style:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1880
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: Z261611stDibs: JU1107207353
Marcus & Co.
Throughout the early 20th century, Marcus & Co. established a reputation as one of the finest American producers of Art Nouveau jewelry. The firm’s innovative techniques included the use of plique-à-jour enameling. During the 1900s, this rare method was used by only three other jewelry companies in the United States — Tiffany & Co., Riker Bros. and Whiteside and Blank.
Marcus & Co. was founded in 1892, in New York City, by Herman Marcus and his son William. Herman was born and raised in Germany, where he worked as a jeweler for Ellemeyer, the court jewelers of Dresden, before moving to the United States in 1850.
After arriving in New York City, Herman worked as a designer at several prestigious luxury firms, including Ball, Black & Co., Tiffany & Co. and was a partner at Starr and Marcus before he went into business with William. Later, they were joined by Herman’s other son, George.
Herman worked with his sons until his death in 1899, when William and George expanded the firm to include a silversmithing department to make serveware. However, Marcus & Co. focused mainly on jewelry design and manufacturing, offering Revival-style pieces.
In 1900, the company exhibited a series of striking orchid motif brooches at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. The brooches attracted critical acclaim for their plique-à-jour enameling and intricate detail — characteristics that would become Marcus & Co.’s signature.
The company’s Art Nouveau jewelry took shape during the 1920s and 1930s. Cocktail rings, engagement rings, necklaces and cufflinks featured fine diamonds, natural pearls and gems rarely seen during that period, such as peridots, zircons, spinels and chrysoberyls. Marcus & Co.’s designs were comparable by critics to fine art jewelry made by René Lalique and attracted high-profile clientele like business tycoon John D. Rockefeller.
Despite Marcus & Co.’s success, the firm closed briefly during World War II. In 1962, they merged with the company Black, Starr & Frost.
Marcus & Co. pieces are still highly coveted among jewelry collectors. The firm’s Art Nouveau plique-à-jour accessories, a technique that sees enamel powder applied to cells on a thin sheet of copper foil or mica and then etched away — instead applying the enamel directly to metal — are particularly collectible. In 2011, a Morning Glory plique-à-jour pendant brooch and chain made in 1900 sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $302,500.
On 1stDibs, discover antique Marcus & Co. brooches, rings and decorative objects.
- Antique Egyptian Revival Gold, Emerald, and Diamond Scarab Brooch / PendantLocated in New York, NYAn antique Egyptian Revival convertible gold and gem-set pendant-brooch in the form of a scarab, the back adorned with emeralds and old-mine-cut, cushion-cut, and rose-cut diamonds, the legs and underside realistically rendered in gold, with removable pin stem and pendant bale...Category
Antique 1860s Egyptian Revival Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
- Antique Gold, Enamel, Ruby, and Diamond Garter Bracelet with Padlock LocketLocated in New York, NYAn antique early Victorian gold and enamel hinged bangle bracelet designed as a scrolling ribbon garter in chased gold and turquoise and white enamel, with a large ruby flanked by fo...Category
Antique 1840s Early Victorian Bangles
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
- Victorian Gold, Enamel, and Gemstone Holbeinesque Cuff BraceletLocated in New York, NYAn antique ruby, diamond, pearl, and enamel Holbeinesque cuff bracelet centered by a pearl in a rose-cut diamond surround and flanked by rectangular enameled elements, each centered ...Category
Antique 1860s English Holbeinesque Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
- Antique Gold Bangle Bracelet with Locket Centerpiece and Chain AccentLocated in New York, NYA Victorian gold cuff bracelet with applied ropetwist wirework and a reeded double-sided oval locket boss with a chain swag, in 18k. 6 3/4...Category
Antique 1870s Victorian Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold
- Antique Gold, Turquoise, and Pearl Openwork Bangle Bracelet with Lattice DesignLocated in New York, NYAn antique gold cuff bracelet of openwork design with latticed front panel set with half pearls and turquoise cabochons, in 14k. Russia. Dimensions...Category
Antique 1870s Russian Victorian Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsPearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
- Antique Gold Bangle Bracelet with Central Diagonal of Diamonds and SapphireLocated in New York, NYAn antique gold tubular bangle bracelet centrally set with a sapphire flanked by old mine cut diamonds, with rose diamond accents, in 14k. Russia, Signed AS. Atw 0.50 ct. old mine ...Category
Antique 1860s Russian Victorian Bangles
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
- Iridescent Enamel Scarab Beetle Bracelet Antique Egyptian RevivalLocated in New York, NYA very rare and wonderful antique Egyptian Revival Bracelet with 12 Iridescent Green Enamel Scarab Beetles. The jewel an Egyptian Rev...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Link Bracelets
MaterialsEnamel, Gold-filled
$1,600 Sale Price58% Off - PONTIEL Egyptian Revival Iridescent Glass Scarab Sterling Silver BraceletBy PONTIEL JewelryLocated in Houston, TXThis stunning Egyptian Revival bracelet features an iridescent glass scarab cabochon from Germany, made in the style of Tiffany Favrile glass scarabs...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Egyptian Revival Bangles
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 18K Gold Egyptian Revival Faience Scarab BraceletLocated in Venice, CAThis 18k gold bracelet contains eight scarabs in various shades of blues, greens, and browns, each with a unique hieroglyphic. Made from clay, the scarab beads...Category
Vintage 1920s Egyptian Egyptian Revival Beaded Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 20 Karat Gold Scarab Beetle Bracelet Antique Egyptian Revival HieroglyphicsLocated in New York, NYThis is a very rare and wonderful antique Egyptian Revival Bracelet with eight graduated Scarab Beetles set in 20 Karat Yellow Gold w...Category
20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Link Bracelets
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,850 Sale Price21% Off - Egyptian Revival Lotus Enamel Gold BraceletLocated in Miami Beach, FLItalian 14K gold bracelet containing five cloisonné polychrome enamel plaques with lotus coming out of a vase design. Stamped 14k Faro ItalyCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Egyptian Revival Link Bracelets
Materials14k Gold, Gold, Enamel
- Egyptian Style 18k Yellow Gold, Lapis Lazuli & Rhodonite Scarab Beetle BraceletLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis very well crafted Egyptian style bangle bracelet exhibits many different gold textures that are inlaid with vivid blue Lapis Lazuli columns a...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Bangles
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$9,000 Sale Price20% Off