Marcus & Co.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Jewelry |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Founder | William Elder Marcus |
| Defunct | 1962 |
| Fate | Merged with Black, Starr & Frost |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Jewelry, including Art Nouveau pieces with enamelwork and gemstones |
| Parent | Gimbels (from 1941) |
Marcus & Co. operated as a prestigious American jeweler from 1892 until 1962, based in New York City.
History
Established by William Elder Marcus, the firm later included his brother George Marcus and their father Herman, who was originally from Germany and had previously worked at Tiffany & Co.. Initially, the company was known as Jaques & Marcus, a partnership with George B. Jaques, but it adopted the name Marcus & Co. following Jaques' departure in 1892.
The business operated out of a location at the intersection of 17th Street and Broadway in Manhattan.
Their creations frequently featured a variety of gemstones, including zircons, chrysoberyls, tourmalines, opals, garnets, beryls, spinels, and peridots. Among their collaborators was French miniature portrait artist Fernand Paillet, who designed a pendant for them.
Marcus & Co. gained recognition for its Art Nouveau pieces characterized by vivid enamelwork in hues such as blue-green, dark green, and rich pink that enhanced the gemstones. Their designs often incorporated French floral motifs typical of Art Nouveau and included gracefully curving gold lines or metal coils that contributed to their unique aesthetic.
A notable feature of Marcus & Co.'s work was the use of enamel applied to curved forms like petals and leaves, which imparted a three-dimensional sculptural effect that distinguished their American Art Nouveau jewelry.
By around 1900, the company began integrating synthetic rubies into some designs, reflecting an innovative spirit within the Art Nouveau movement.
In 1941, Marcus & Co. was acquired by Gimbels. Later on, in 1962, it merged with Black, Starr & Frost.
