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 VINTAGE JEWELRY DESIGNERS - A A & Z Chain Company: Founded by Carl Anshen and Saul Zeitlin circa 1905 in Providence, Rhode Island as a chain manufacturer. Eventually acquired by the Amtel Corporation and currently named A&Z Hayward Company. A&Z sterling silver and vermeil jewelry pieces are usually delicate pieces with stylized floral forms. Various trademarks were used, but they all incorporate the A&Z name. Accessocraft: Edgar Rodelheimer and Theodore Steinman, Monocraft salesmen (forerunner of Monet), founded Accessocraft around 1930. Still in business today. Manufactured jewelry with original and bold designs. Many of their pieces have Renaissance, Victorian or Art Nouveau style. Use of antique gold-tone or bronzed metals with unusual stones. Usually marked with the company name on the back of the jewelry or on a metal tag attached to the chain. Aguilar, Hector: Worked for the Spratling shop, Las Delicias, for two years before establishing his own shop, the Taller Borda, in 1939. During the war years in the 1940s, Coro contracted with Aguilar to make silver jewelry and military insignia which are marked "Coro Mexico". His sterling silver jewelry exhibits superior craftsmanship. Retired in 1966 after closing the shop and died in the early 1970s. Very collectible. Albion: Albion jewelry is very scarce on the collectible market which suggests that the manufacturer did not sign many pieces or was not in business for very long. Jewelry pieces are marked A or Albion. Alcozer: Alcozer & J was founded in Florence Italy in 1994 by designer Giampiero Alcozer. This company specializes in antique-style costume jewelry handcrafted in hypoallergenic goldtone metal. Amco: Amco is the trademark of the A Micallef and Co. Inc. which was founded in Providence Rhode Island in 1919. They manufactured gold, gold filled and silver jewelry in elegant and classic lines. Jewelry is marked Amco. Am Lee: Founded in the mid 1940s in Providence Rhode Island. Probably ceased production in the 1960s. The trademark Am Lee was registered in 1946. Produced sterling silver jewelry. Anson: After World War II the Anderson Tool & Die Co Inc. which produced tools and dies for the jewelry industry began manufacturing men's jewelry. In 1948, they changed their name to Anson Incorporated and began a complete line of men's jewelry. In 1967, women's jewelry was introduced. Art: The Art trademark was used by several companies, but most of the jewelry was probably produced by the Art Mode Jewelry Creations Inc. which was founded in the late 1940s and continued until the late 1960s. They produced a wide range of jewelry from average to quality. Art Metal Studios: Founded as the Chicago Art Silver Shop in Chicago by Edmund Boker and Ernest Gould in 1912. Manufactured silver jewelry. Still in business. Signature is AMS in a shield formation. Atlas Manufacturing Company: Founded circa 1940s in New York City. Made gold-filled, sterling silver or vermeil jewelry during the 1940s to early 1950s. Marked Atlas on an applique. Atwood & Sawyer: Founded in England in 1956 by Horace Atwood with Sawyer as a silent partner. Produced copies of 18th and 19th century precious jewelry. Avery, James: James Avery, a university art and design teacher, established his first workshop in Texas in 1954. Moved to Kerrville, Texas in 1968. By late 1970s James Avery Craftsman Inc. was a major manufacturer of gold and silver jewelry. Known for its silver charms and religious jewelry. Signed with a three flame candelabra with the J on the left side of the stand and the A on the right. Avon: The California Perfume Company, founded in 1886 by D. H. McConnell, changed its name to Avon Products Inc. in 1939. They used a direct marketing approach, selling products through representatives. Avon of Belleville: Not associated with the above Avon Company. Avon of Belleville was set up by Abe Mazer (Mazer/Jomaz fame) in the 1940s. Located in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The jewelry is beautifully designed and well made. Marked with design inventory numbers. Marcel Boucher had worked with the Mazers in the 1930s and apparently continued his association with them through Avon of Belleville. The jewelry is signed AVON in a different font than the Avon Cosmetic company uses. Ceased operations in 1971. |
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