Original by Robert vintage jewellery

Vintage Brooch pink flowers on a green leaf, Original by Robert vintage jewellery

Original by Robert vintage jewellery
The history of the brand “Original by Robert” dates back to 1942. Founded by Robert Levy, David Jaffee, and Irving Landsman as Fashion craft Jewelry Company NYC, in 1951, it was renamed to Robert Originals, Inc. The American costume jewelry market has not been affected much by the World War II. The demand was big enough, the equipment and materials were quite enough. After the Great Depression, the ladies of all ages got a taste and wanted to look elegant and expensive. Therefore, a lot of magnificent jewellery pieces were created in the 1940s. They were close to high expensive jewelry in quality and design, but more accessible. Also Hollywood screen divas added to the demand – they wore not only diamonds, but a luxury costume jewelry. Jewellery company Original by Robert began to do the same. It copied the style of the great Miriam Haskell. All the decorations were made by hand, which means – they are unique and expensive. In addition to jewelry made of beads, great popularity enjoyed the line of decorations in the style of Art Nouveau, made of colored glass. These ornaments are very rare to find on the antique market.

Apple. Vintage Brooch Original by Robert from the famous fruit and vegetable series. Alloy with gold-plated, hand painted with colored enamel. 1950-60-ies, USA

Apple. Vintage Brooch from the famous fruit and vegetable series. Alloy with gold-plated, hand painted with colored enamel. 1950-60-ies, USA. Original by Robert vintage jewellery

Initially aimed at the wealthy audience, the company created jewellery for the film industry and their decorations can be seen in old movies. In 1960-70s the company produced enameled jewelry. They were mostly flowers, rarer fruits, even more rarely figures and vegetables.

Many Hollywood stars adored these ornaments and acted in them in the movies. The beautiful exquisite brooches of “Russian gold” shone under the lights and looked perfect. After Robert retired, the company was headed by his daughter – Helen. In 1979 the company was renamed «Ellen Designs for Robert Originals». Although in the title remained the name of the creator and chief designer, the jewellery pieces no longer had any direct relation to the management of the company, nor its creative part, and the quality of jewelry began to deteriorate. The company ceased to exist in 1979.

Vintage brooch ‘Flying to the sky’ by the company Original by Robert

Vintage brooch ‘Flying to the sky’ by the company Original by Robert. The brooch is a slightly curved piece of leaf with the natural patterns of veins and central sprig-handle. Costume jewellery alloy of yellow gold color hand coated with enamel colored young foliage. On the edge of brooch landed cute ladybug. If you look closely, you can see that it is smiling, soaking up in the first rays of the dawn sun. The brooch is marked Original by Robert, made in the 60s of the last century.