Marcus & Co.

American jeweler best known for its Art Nouveau jewelry and silver. In 1892, when Hermann Marcus (born in Germany in 1828)  and his son William opened Marcus & Company in New York, Herman Marcus was already well known and respected by the New York City jewelry community.  Born and raised in Germany, he had moved to the city in 1850; his knowledge of European trends and previous experience at Ellemeyer, court jewelers of Dresden, won him jobs at Ball, Black, and Co. as well as Tiffany and Company. He was also a partner in the prestigious firm Starr and Marcus before going into business with his son. In 1900, the firm exhibited beautiful orchid-motif brooches, featuring plique-à-jour enameling, at Paris’s International Exhibition. The pieces were clearly inspired by René Lalique. The firm’s designs were of high quality, even if a bit crude by French standards, and are still among the best examples of American Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts jewellery. Marcus and Company continued to attract high profile clientele throughout the twentieth century, including John D. Rockefeller. The firm closed for a brief time during World War II. In 1962, it merged with Black, Starr, and Frost.