Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry

Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry (1881-1911)
The history of the Unger Brothers firm located in Newark, New Jersey began in 1870 and lasted four decades. However, the brothers initially worked separately as engravers in Unger & Keen Jewelers (1871 – 1874) and gold jewelry firm H. Unger & Co. (1878-1880). Noteworthy, in 1879, three of the five brothers (William, George and Frederick) died, leaving the family business to Herman and Eugene.

In fact, the firm of Unger Brothers (Eugene and Herman) appeared only in 1881, listed in “Manufacturing Jewelers” catalog. The president of the company became Herman Unger, Edward P. Beach was vice-president and treasurer, while Eugene Unger was a member of the firm. “Unger Brothers, Jewelers, Manufacturing Silversmiths and Glass Cutters” had a showroom in New York (closed in 1897).

According to their advertisements in the 1900s Jewelers’ Circulars, “We make everything in Sterling Silver”. Indeed, they made everything – bowls, pitchers, perfume bottles, powder boxes, vases, spoon handles, mirrors, brushes, belt buckles, and jewelry. The company also did their own glass cutting. The patterns on their Art Nouveau designs included women’s heads, birds, and various flowers – wild rose, poppy, daffodil, hibiscus, daisies, water lilies, and sweet peas.
The maker’s mark was the stylized “UB” monogram with sterling 925 added around a circle rim.

Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry