Kaleidoscope effect

Gorgeous abstract design swirl pin. 1980s. Rhinestones, matte gold. Vintage Norma Jean costume jewelry

Vintage Norma Jean costume jewelry
Unusual in shape and design, Norma Jean pieces resemble some archaic jewelry found somewhere during the excavations of ancient civilizations. Bold and elegant design, exquisite handmade work make these costume decorations desirable for collectors of vintage jewelry. Noteworthy, Rhode Island based designer has been in business for more than 30 years, since 1984.
Available through various major catalogs, Norma Jean pieces – sold in various Department Stores, including Canada, Japan and Mexico. Traditionally, the NJ jewelers used gold tone metal, rhinestones, crystals, faux pearl and sometimes enamel. Also, all earrings, pins and brooches have markings – N J, or Norma Jean.
However, creating fashion jewelry is not the only business of a talented American designer. In addition, she designs and hand makes decorative things and home goods – push pins, shower hooks, etc.
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Duck with umbrella brooch. 4.5 cm. Gold plated sterling silver, lucite. 1944-1945. Norma Jewelry Corp vintage costume jewelry

Norma Jewelry Corp vintage costume jewelry
The American company Norma Jewelry Corp., founded by Alfred Benjamin Shawl, began making jewelry in 1944. The company headquartered at 15 W. 47th St. New York 19, NY went out of business in 1959.
The most interesting jewelry designs included Water Girl (1947), Accordionist (1948) and Cow Girl (1949), among others.
Traditionally, jewelers used 925 sterling silver, gilding, rhinestones, glass cabochons and a lucite insert, which is especially characteristic of the design. In addition, the 1950s design useв colored enamels and semi-precious stones. The Jelly Belly series was very popular in the 1940s and is highly collectible today. Also, the marking includes “Norma Sterling Pat.Pend”.
According to Brunialti Guide to American Costume Jewelry, the company applied for a patent in September 1954, and this was the last mention of the company. However, according to my research, the company existed until 1960. Thus, the Greater New York Industrial Directory (published in 1957) lists Norma Jewelry Corp as an active company.
Noteworthy, there were two eponymous jewelry trademarks “Norma” used by Joseph H. Meyer Bros (Brooklyn, NY, since 1938), and by Sadler, F.H. (Attleboro, Mass., since 1922).
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Beautiful rectangular shaped floral design brooch. Jewelry alloy, crystals, rhinestones. 1980s. Signed Weinberg New York costume jewelry

Weinberg New York costume jewelry

According to scant information, Weinberg NY jewelry brand was active from early 1980’s to late 1980s. The very name of the American company Weinberg NY indicates its location.
As a rule, products marked Weinberg have an elegant and sophisticated design in the art deco or classic style. The gallery of Weinberg NY jewelry includes floral and fantasy motifs, as well as figural – ballerina, dragon, etc. Traditionally, jewelers used metal of silver or gold tone, rhinestones, crystals, art glass, lucite and plastic. Each decoration has marking – Weinberg NY, or Weinberg New York, without a copyright sign.
Among the jewelers of the 20th century, the name Weinberg is very common, but there is no exact information about the founder of the Weinberg New York brand.
Noteworthy, the name of the jeweler Weinberg is quite common in documents and archives of court cases in the 1980s and 1990s. Most likely, these lawsuits led to the closure of the company.
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Grotesque self-portrait of the artist as an oracle IV. 1989. Work by American enamel artist jeweler William Harper

American jeweler William Harper

Born in 1944 in Ohio, William Harper is one of the greatest American jewelers of the 20th century. His decorations – recognized masterpieces that are in private collections and museum exhibitions around the world. An amazing combination of genius and skill!
His exotic and often esoteric images, complex and brilliant jewelry work with enamel, make his products unique in this area.
In fact, the base of such an extraordinary vision is an extensive knowledge of the history of art and a deep understanding of human nature. Noteworthy, New York based jeweler Harper has been creating convincing and innovative works for more than forty years.

His products are in the collections of the American Museum of Crafts, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Also, represented in the Vatican Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
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Hop cone necklace of dark silver tone. Signed Botticelli vintage costume jewelry

Signed Botticelli vintage costume jewelry
According to belief, hop is a symbol of vitality, fertility, goodness and well-being. Besides, the image of hops relates to the idea of a happy marriage.
The history of Botticelli jewelry brand began almost sixty years ago in Providence Rhode, Island. Incorporated on 19 May 1964, Botticelli, Inc. ceased to exist in June 1993. Undoubtedly, the trademark has reference to a famous Italian painter, as its founder was of Italian origin.
Made of silver or blackened silver, sometimes with the use of enamel, the jewels demonstrate high casting quality and a wonderful sense of shape. Also, the style and some technological features of “Botticelli” decorations are identical to another costume jewelry brand “Tortolani”.
Noteworthy, Botticelli could relate to The Ellmore Silver Company Inc. According to Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office (published in 1949), Con Meriden, owner of The Ellmore Silver Company Inc. filed for Botticelli trademark in 1948.
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Pendant necklace. Circa 1925. Gold, silver, sapphire, tourmaline, and pearls with a central carved jade rose. Work by English jewelry designer Dorrie Nossiter (29 June 1893 – 1977)

English jewelry designer Dorrie Nossiter (1893-1977)
Born 29 June 1893 in Aston, Dorrie Nossiter was a famous English jewelry designer. Traditionally, she made her jewelry decorations in Art Deco and Arts and Crafts style. Creating her well designed jewelry pieces, Nossiter used gold and sterling silver. Also, various gems, such as sapphire, tourmaline, jade and pearls. Noteworthy, Dorrie Nossiter did not mark any of her jewelry pieces.
According to designs, there are visual similarities in her jewelry and works of another English designer Sibyl Dunlop. Moreover, some of the products attributed to Dunlop (so called “carpet of gems”) are actually works made by Nossiter. However, the design, settings and general method of construction of these decorations allow jewelry lovers and collectors to attribute them to Dorrie Nossiter.
Interestingly, Nossiter assigned a name to each piece of jewelry, for example “Silent Evening”, “Heavenly Twins”, etc.
Talented jeweler Dorrie Nossiter, who worked primarily in the 1930s, died in 1977.
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Matrix turquoise gold brooch pendant with two pearls. Murrle Bennett art nouveau jewelry

Murrle Bennett art nouveau jewelry (1884-1914)

Created in London in 1884, the jewelry company Murrle, Bennet & CO, specialized in Art Nouveau jewelry. The company collaborated with Liberty, and very often their decorations were stylistically close. The art of modern jewelers did not escape the influence of the art of other eras. In particular, the Celtic ornaments. However, it did not consist in borrowing elements of style and reproducing historical patterns, but in synthesizing different cultures.
Traditionally, Murrle Bennett quality pieces have marks M B & Co, also stamped carat – 9 ct, or 15 ct, etc.
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