Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Round brooch,
signed Kramer of New York
rhinestones partially covered with black mesh, an example of the famous series from the 1950s of which we also have a set of necklace and earclips available.
Kramer of New York was a well-known American costume jewelry company that operated from the 1940s to the 1970s. The company was founded by Louis Kramer in New York City and was known for its high-quality and stylish designs. The jewelry collections of Kramer of New York included a wide range of pieces, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and brooches. The brand's signature style was characterized by its use of high-quality materials, including rhinestones, glass beads, and faux pearls, as well as its intricate designs and attention to detail.
One of Kramer of New York's most notable collections was its parures, which consisted of matching sets of jewelry that included a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and sometimes a brooch. These parures were often sold in department stores and were popular with women who wanted to accessorize their outfits with coordinated jewelry.
Kramer of New York's jewelry was popular with celebrities and was often seen on movie stars in Hollywood films. The brand's designs were also featured in fashion magazines and were highly sought after by collectors of vintage costume jewelry. Overall, Kramer of New York was a prominent American costume jewelry brand known for its high-quality and stylish designs. Although the company is no longer in operation, its jewelry remains highly sought after by collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
About Vintage Costume Jewelry:
Costume jewelry– also known as Fashion Jewelry– was especially made popular in the mid-20th century. While their materials were less precious than real gold and diamonds, using glass stones, semi-precicious stones and lead and brass, many big fashion houses and designers produced highly complex pieces of jewelry that stand for craftmanship that today can only be found in so-called Haute Joaillerie. Most famously, Coco Chanel popularized the use of “faux jewelry”, bringing costume jewelry to life with gold and faux pearls. Chanel's designs drew from various historical styles, including Byzantine and Renaissance influences, often featuring crosses and intricate metalwork. Her collaboration with glassmakers, such as the Gripoix family (Maison Gripoix), introduced richly colored glass beads and simulated gemstones, which added depth to her creations without the high cost of traditional precious stones.
Elsa Schiaparelli– Chanel’s lifelong rival– brought surrealist influences into costume jewelry design, famously collaborating with Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. She created the House of Schiaparelli in Paris in 1927, celebrating Surrealism and eccentric fashions. Her collections were famous for unconventional and artistic themes like the human body, insects, or trompe-l'œil, and for the use of bright colors like her "shocking pink". While Schiaparelli had to close her avant-garde business in the late 1950s and was forgotten for decades, her designs have recently been rediscovered and are celebrated for their bold design.
In many instances, high-end custome jewelry has achieved a "collectible" status and increased value over time. Today, there is a substantial secondary market for vintage fashion jewelry. The main collecting market is for 'signed pieces', which have the maker's mark, usually stamped on the reverse. Amongst the most sought after are Miriam Haskell, Sherman, Coro, Butler and Wilson, Crown Trifari, and Sphinx.
The term signed however is an invention that only reached European production in the late 1950s- when American buyers started to ask for authentification to distinguish high class designers from mass-produced pieces, while in Europe all costume jewelry had been issued by the fashion houses themselves and hence remained somewhat exclusive from the start.
Round brooch,
signed Kramer of New York
rhinestones partially covered with black mesh, an example of the famous series from the 1950s of which we also have a set of necklace and earclips available.
Kramer of New York was a well-known American costume jewelry company that operated from the 1940s to the 1970s. The company was founded by Louis Kramer in New York City and was known for its high-quality and stylish designs. The jewelry collections of Kramer of New York included a wide range of pieces, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and brooches. The brand's signature style was characterized by its use of high-quality materials, including rhinestones, glass beads, and faux pearls, as well as its intricate designs and attention to detail.
One of Kramer of New York's most notable collections was its parures, which consisted of matching sets of jewelry that included a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and sometimes a brooch. These parures were often sold in department stores and were popular with women who wanted to accessorize their outfits with coordinated jewelry.
Kramer of New York's jewelry was popular with celebrities and was often seen on movie stars in Hollywood films. The brand's designs were also featured in fashion magazines and were highly sought after by collectors of vintage costume jewelry. Overall, Kramer of New York was a prominent American costume jewelry brand known for its high-quality and stylish designs. Although the company is no longer in operation, its jewelry remains highly sought after by collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
About Vintage Costume Jewelry:
Costume jewelry– also known as Fashion Jewelry– was especially made popular in the mid-20th century. While their materials were less precious than real gold and diamonds, using glass stones, semi-precicious stones and lead and brass, many big fashion houses and designers produced highly complex pieces of jewelry that stand for craftmanship that today can only be found in so-called Haute Joaillerie. Most famously, Coco Chanel popularized the use of “faux jewelry”, bringing costume jewelry to life with gold and faux pearls. Chanel's designs drew from various historical styles, including Byzantine and Renaissance influences, often featuring crosses and intricate metalwork. Her collaboration with glassmakers, such as the Gripoix family (Maison Gripoix), introduced richly colored glass beads and simulated gemstones, which added depth to her creations without the high cost of traditional precious stones.
Elsa Schiaparelli– Chanel’s lifelong rival– brought surrealist influences into costume jewelry design, famously collaborating with Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. She created the House of Schiaparelli in Paris in 1927, celebrating Surrealism and eccentric fashions. Her collections were famous for unconventional and artistic themes like the human body, insects, or trompe-l'œil, and for the use of bright colors like her "shocking pink". While Schiaparelli had to close her avant-garde business in the late 1950s and was forgotten for decades, her designs have recently been rediscovered and are celebrated for their bold design.
In many instances, high-end custome jewelry has achieved a "collectible" status and increased value over time. Today, there is a substantial secondary market for vintage fashion jewelry. The main collecting market is for 'signed pieces', which have the maker's mark, usually stamped on the reverse. Amongst the most sought after are Miriam Haskell, Sherman, Coro, Butler and Wilson, Crown Trifari, and Sphinx.
The term signed however is an invention that only reached European production in the late 1950s- when American buyers started to ask for authentification to distinguish high class designers from mass-produced pieces, while in Europe all costume jewelry had been issued by the fashion houses themselves and hence remained somewhat exclusive from the start.
