Rare carved opal brooch depicting a sea nymph against a rising sun set in gold and platinum with enamel diamonds and demantoid garnets, 1890.
Art Crafts Metal

jewelry firm Marcus & Co

Morning Glory brooch in gold and platinum set with stained enamel diamonds and conch pearls.
Morning Glory brooch in gold and platinum set with stained enamel diamonds and conch pearls. This delicate brooch is a rare piece of Art Nouveau jewelry from the New York-based Marcus & Co, one of the few American firms to create pieces in plique-à-jour enamel.

The jewelry firm Marcus & Co was founded in New York in 1892 by the Dresden jeweler Hermann Marcus (1828–1899) and his sons William and George. Before moving to New York in 1850, Hermann Marcus received his education and experience as a goldsmith in Dresden. After moving from Europe to America, Herman Markus worked for major jewelery firms such as Ball, Black & Co (later Black, Star & Frost) and Tiffany & Co before starting his own business.
Sautoir with black opal pendant set in gold and enamel irises.
Sautoir with black opal pendant set in gold and enamel irises.

Turquoise and peridot pendant brooch set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Turquoise and peridot pendant brooch set in gold and enamel, 1900.

The peak of Marcus & Co’s popularity falls at the beginning of the 20th century, when the company mastered the production of elegant pieces in the Art Nouveau style with stained glass enamels and precious stones, which until that time were rarely used in jewelry: opals, zircons, chrysoberyls, spinels, peridots.

The company remained a family business until 1941 when it was sold to the Gimbels department store corporation. The brand existed until 1962 when the firm merged with Black, Starr & Frost.

Emerald and diamond clock brooch set in gold and enamel, 1905.
Emerald and diamond clock brooch set in gold and enamel, 1905.
Opal gold necklace set with enamel and diamonds, 1900.
Opal gold necklace set with enamel and diamonds, 1900.
Opal pendant brooch set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Opal pendant brooch set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Gold necklace with amethyst and pearls embellished with light stained glass enamel, 1910.
Gold necklace with amethyst and pearls embellished with light stained glass enamel, 1910.
Platinum plated gold pendant brooch with black opal and diamonds, 1915.
Platinum plated gold pendant brooch with black opal and diamonds, 1915.
Gold necklace and pendant with freshwater pearls and diamonds, 1905.
Gold necklace and pendant with freshwater pearls and diamonds, 1905.
Brooch with opal and diamonds set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Brooch with opal and diamonds set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Black opal pendant watch set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Black opal pendant watch set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Brooch with rubies and diamonds set in gold with stained glass enamel, 1900.
Brooch with rubies and diamonds set in gold with stained glass enamel, 1900.
Brooch with peridot and diamonds set in gold with stained glass enamel, 1900.
Brooch with peridot and diamonds set in gold with stained glass enamel, 1900.
Rare carved opal brooch depicting a sea nymph against a rising sun set in gold and platinum with enamel diamonds and demantoid garnets, 1890.
Rare carved opal brooch depicting a sea nymph against a rising sun set in gold and platinum with enamel diamonds and demantoid garnets, 1890.
Pendant brooch with emerald pearls and diamonds set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Pendant brooch with emerald pearls and diamonds set in gold and enamel, 1900.
Marcus & Co Antique bottle of rutilated quartz circa 1750 1860 set in gold with amethyst, 1900.
Antique bottle of rutilated quartz circa 1750 1860 set in gold with amethyst, 1900.
Marcus & Co Egyptian style gold necklace and pendant in turquoise and enamel, 1900.
Egyptian style gold necklace and pendant in turquoise and enamel, 1900.
Marcus & Co Emerald and diamond brooch set in gold with stained glass enamel, 1900.
Emerald and diamond brooch set in gold with stained glass enamel, 1900.
Marcus & Co Gold brooch with diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Gold brooch with diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Marcus & Co Gold brooch with baroque pearl diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Gold brooch with baroque pearl diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Marcus & Co Mughal style gold ring with peridot diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1905.
Mughal style gold ring with peridot diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1905.
Gold ring with peridot diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Gold ring with peridot diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Brooch with opal chrysoprase diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Brooch with opal chrysoprase diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Gold ring with black opal diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Gold ring with black opal diamonds and stained glass enamel, 1900.
Marcus & Co Gold necklace with black opal sapphires and diamonds, early 20th century.
Gold necklace with black opal sapphires and diamonds, early 20th century.
Marcus & Co Platinum necklace with conch pearls and diamonds.
Platinum necklace with conch pearls and diamonds.
Marcus & Co Gold brooch with opal and Egyptian style enamel.
Gold brooch with opal and Egyptian style enamel.