Designer Costume jewel

Designer Costume jewelry

Designer Costume jewelry

Har was one of the manufacturers at the forefront of costume jewellery design in the 1950s. Vet the company's background is wreathed in mystery—as intangible as the fabulous, green-hued designs for which the firm is known

The accepted belief was that Har was a Californian company, in production for a short period from 1955. However, jewelry historian Roberto Brunialti recently found information in the copyright files of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, revealing that Har was owned by Hargo Creations of New York City. In fact, the company was founded in 1955 by a husband-and-wife team, Joseph Heibronner and Edith Levitt. 

Jewelry historian Susan Klein researched the pair, discovering that 1 leibronner was born in 1893 in Munich, Germany. 1 le became a US citizen in 1948 and married Levitt in 1952. It is known that I leibronner died in 1968, and no further records of the company were found after 1967.

 Research has also shown that some of the most desirable Har pieces, such as the "Dragon" designs and the "Genie" set, can be dated to April 1959, according to U.S. copyright records.

Designer Costume jewelry

At some point after 1955, the Har company was renamed "Art," presumably when it changed hands. Consequently, there are many designs by Har that have been found signed "Art," where existing designs were revisited by the new owners.

With its unusual and distinctive metalwork, the company's pieces, stamped "Har," often take fantastical and exotic forms—dragons, snakes, genies, and oriental and African figures, sometimes with a matte antique finish. As with much 1950s costume jewelry design, great use was made of the "aurora borealis" crystal produced by Swarovski. Its rainbow gleam gave a mystical air to 1 lar's fabulous creations. The company also excelled at enameling, especially on figural pieces such as its "Monkey" pin.

Designer Costume jewelry

Har jewelry is highly collectible. The small production runs and extraordinary, exotic designs, combined with the company's mysterious provenance, mean that Har pieces can fetch staggering prices today. 

Designer Costume jewelry

Desirable pieces and parures, such as the "Dragon" design, with its gold-toned, green-enameled, sinuous form, set with iridescent stones to fantastical effect, are much sought after andcollectors will pay many thousands of dollars for them. Other pieces of 1 lar jewelry, in good condition, also command high sums, including "Cobra" pieces; Oriental figures with faux ivory faces; and "Arabian Nights Genie" pieces.

Designer Costume jewelry

Designer Costume jewelry

Novelty pieces such as fruits, vegetables, leaves, flowers, and whimsical figures are gaining in popularity and are increasingly sought after by collectors. More traditional, classical jewelry designs w ith rhinestones and pearls, faux turquoise, and coral, are also desirable. Distinctive pieces also feature large, iridescent, irregularly shaped stones.

The metal Har used to make the bodies of its pieces is soft and can crack, so collectors should check items for damage and repairs. Similarly, the enameling can wear, affecting value.