As a collector, the alure of Eisenberg jewelry, especially the older brooches, is irresistible. On a recent shopping trip, I succumbed to the tempting beauty of Eisenberg to acquire the brooch shown below.
Eisenberg began as a fashion house selling quality dresses. Then jewelry was added to the garments. Customers LOVED the jewels so in the late 1930s Eisenberg added a jewelry line to be sold alongside the fashions.
The genius of marketing jewelry as an essential element in a garment’s sales appeal is unquestionable.
Ball, Joanne Dubbs. Costume Jewelers, The golden Age of Design. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1990, p. 69.
In keeping with the high-quality garments, Eisenberg jewelry was top quality and sold for high prices.
…in the early 1940s some Eisenberg jewelry was selling for as much as $50 to $100 each. Placed in the perspective of the times, it’s important to remember that a salary of $30 a week or less was then the norm…
Ball, p. 70.
In addition to the Eisenberg name, I was drawn to the interesting design qualities in this piece.
The overall shape is a circle decorated with high-quality navette stones graduating in size.
Curving lines of crystal stones swirl over the wreath of navette stones ending in two unique arrow-shaped elements. The navette stones in each arrow design are set on end, like rows of rhinestone soldiers. The thick rhodium plating remains in wonderful condition.
In addition to the outstandingly interesting design, this piece has interesting signatures.
The signature on the left is difficult to read and to photograph. It is Eisenberg in script stamped into the thick plating. This signature and the non use of sterling dates this brooch to the late 1940s or early 1950s. The photo on the right shows a four-digit number, 1466. I have seen similar numbering on other Eisenberg pieces. It is stamped on the back of one arrow.
Eisenberg values for the older brooches are reasonable today considering the quality of the designs and manufacturing.
Happy Collecting,
Love,
Julie