Jewelry designer Adolph Katz

Jewelry designer Adolph Katz
Hyacinths brooch. Gold tone metal, rhinestones. 10 cm. 1944. Jewelry designer Adolph Katz

Jewelry designer Adolph Katz
Coro’s chief designer, Adolph Katz, worked for the famous jewelry company for almost half a century, from 1924 to the 1970s. The vision of a talented artist jeweler determined the success of Coro, a company that has been in business since 1901. It was originally an accessories store in New York, founded by businessmen Carl Rosenberg and Emmanuel Kohn. At the height of the Great Depression, in 1929 they opened a large factory. By the mid-30s, the company became the largest jewelry manufacturer under the leadership of the leading designer Adolph Katz.
He became chief designer and production manager in 1937, vice president in 1948, and executive vice president in 1960.
Responsible for reviewing the designs of younger artists, he made decisions about which ones would be accepted into production. According to patent records, Katz has had more patents for jewelry design than anyone else in the industry. It was Katz who brought the company success with his diverse and stunningly beautiful jewelry designs.

African Lady brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, enamel, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1940s
African Lady brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, enamel, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1940s

Adolph Katz was not only a talented designer and craftsman, but also an innovative engineer. One of his most famous designs is the “duet” – a pair of pins that were attached to a specially designed piece, allowing the pins to be worn together or separately. Traditionally, the master used massive multi-colored rhinestones, glass cabochons, lucite, porcelain, silver, gilding and enamel. His jewelry motifs included flowers, birds, and figured brooches with animal designs.

In the 1950s, Katz led the development of the new Coro “Vendome” line, sold in very exclusive department stores. Vendome was to replace Corocraft as Coro’s highest quality jewelry line.

Duette brooches ad
Retro ad

Jewelry designer Adolph Katz

Thorobreds duette brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1943
Thorobreds duette brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1943
Duette brooch patent. 1943
Duette brooch patent. 1943
1943 patent
1943 patent
Birds on branch vintage brooch. Gold tone metal alloy, rhinestones, enamel. 5 cm. 1940s
Birds on branch vintage brooch. Gold tone metal alloy, rhinestones, enamel. 5 cm. 1940s
Camellias trembler brooch. Metal alloy, enamel, rhinestones. 7.5 cm. 1939
Camellias trembler brooch. Metal alloy, enamel, rhinestones. 7.5 cm. 1939
Chinese salamander brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1946
Chinese salamander brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1946
Coffeepot brooch and clips. Gold tone metal alloy, rhinestones, enamel. 1940s
Coffeepot brooch and clips. Gold tone metal alloy, rhinestones, enamel. 1940s
Currant brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones, pearls. 7.6 cm. 1940s
Currant brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones, pearls. 7.6 cm. 1940s
Exotic fish duette brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, enamel, crystals, rhinestones. 1940s
Exotic fish duette brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, enamel, crystals, rhinestones. 1940s
Fans brooch. 1946. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones. 7 cm
Fans brooch. 1946. Gold plated sterling silver, rhinestones. 7 cm
Fish duette brooches. Gold plated sterling silver, lucite, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1944
Fish duette brooches. Gold plated sterling silver, lucite, rhinestones. 6 cm. 1944
Fly duette brooches. Gold plated sterling silver, art glass, rhinestones. 1940s
Fly duette brooches. Gold plated sterling silver, art glass, rhinestones. 1940s
Flying duck brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 10.5 cm. 1940s
Flying duck brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 10.5 cm. 1940s
Hand with flowers brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 9 cm. 1940s
Hand with flowers brooch. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 9 cm. 1940s
Horned Owls duette brooches. Gold plated sterling silver, enamel, rhinestones. 6.5 cm. 1941
Horned Owls duette brooches. Gold plated sterling silver, enamel, rhinestones. 6.5 cm. 1941
Orchid brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, enamel, rhinestones. 7 cm. 1944
Orchid brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, enamel, rhinestones. 7 cm. 1944
Peacock duette brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, enamel, rhinestones. 7.5 cm. 1940s
Peacock duette brooch. Gold plated sterling silver, enamel, rhinestones. 7.5 cm. 1940s
Roses duette brooch. Enamel, rhinestones, gold tone alloy. 1940s
Roses duette brooch. Enamel, rhinestones, gold tone alloy. 1940s
Sea horse gold plated sterling silver rhinestones duette brooch. 6 cm. 1940s
Sea horse gold plated sterling silver rhinestones duette brooch. 6 cm. 1940s
Shells brooch. 1950s. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 6 cm
Shells brooch. 1950s. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 6 cm
Sterling Key and lock brooch pendant. 1947. Sterling silver, gold plated, plastic, rhinestones. 7.5 cm. Designer Adolph Katz
Sterling Key and lock brooch pendant. 1947. Sterling silver, gold plated, plastic, rhinestones. 7.5 cm
Thistle brooch. Enamel, rhinestones, gold tone metal alloy. 1942
Thistle brooch. Enamel, rhinestones, gold tone metal alloy. 1942
Tulips brooch. Gold tone metal alloy, enamel, rhinestones. 9 cm. 1939
Tulips brooch. Gold tone metal alloy, enamel, rhinestones. 9 cm. 1939
Heavenly Swallows set of 3 brooches. 1940s. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 4.5 cm, 3.5 cm, 3 cm
Heavenly Swallows set of 3 brooches. 1940s. Sterling silver, gold plated, rhinestones. 4.5 cm, 3.5 cm, 3 cm
Swallow brooches patent 1946
Swallow brooches patent 1946

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