We Dig Deeper.
photo credit: Victoria and Albert Museum
The vivid colours of this brooch reflect the preference for brightly hued stones and enamel found in both Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau jewels. It was made by the New York firm of Marcus & Co., which was one of America’s most important producers of fine Art Nouveau jewellery.
The firm was founded by William Marcus, whose father Herman had worked with Charles Tiffany. Herman Marcus joined his son’s business around 1900, bringing with him an interest in European art and design which inspired a range of Art Nouveau jewels.
source: Victoria and Albert Museum
“These gems have life in them: their colors speak, say what words fail of”
—George Eliot