1920S JEWELRY

1920S JEWELRY

1920S JEWELRY












A New York City firm founded in 1927 by the Russian emigre brothers Joseph and Louis Mazer, the company produced mid-range jewelry simulating precious pieces. It quickly gained a reputation for quality and affordability. In the early 1930s, Marcel Boucher began designing for Mazer Brothers, bringing his skills in fine jewelry design to the company and to the field of costume jewelry in general.




1920S JEWELRY
 Early work from Mazer consisted of classic floral or ribbon-and-bow motifs, featuring "Sea-Maze" faux pearls or rhinestones, often in highly worked settings.

1920S JEWELRY

Mazer's production from the 1930s and 1940s was made with the same care, precision, and quality for which the company had become known.



 Sterling silver or vermeil silver was predominant and pieces included lavish cocktail necklace parures and large, square-cut pastes.



The 1930s surreal "Eye" bracelet and earrings set is avidly collected today. An opaque blue cabochon was used for the iris and baguette- cut rhinestones make up the eyelashes. The company also produced "Duette" pins and crown jewel pins, emulating those popularized by Trifari and Coro.

1920S JEWELRY

In 1946, Joseph Mazer went on to establish his own company, Joseph J. Mazer & Co. The name was soon shortened to Jomaz, although it was never registered as such w ith the U.S. Patent Office.

Production from the 1950s included pieces imitative of fine jewelry, including; opulent paste jewels in lavish bib-necklace designs with pendanit earrings.

 Andre Flcuridas produced many of the pieces from the earl'y 1950s, and Adolfo designed some pieces for the company in the 1970s.

1920S JEWELRY

 Designs were innovative and unusual, many reflecting the influence of Marcel Boucher, especially where metals are combined to create a two-tone effect, with irregular outlines and texture. The company maintained a reputation for fine quality and was recognized for its exquisite stone cutting and setting.

1920S JEWELRY

Silver and rhodium-plated bases were used in Jomaz's early work, but gold-plating and gold-metal alloys became a design feature in the 1960s, often with innovative textured finishes and used as a setting for fine Swarovski crystals, pave-sct rhinestones, and brightly colored pastes. Production in the 1970s reflected the market's love of large and exuberantly colored costume jewelry.

Jomaz was run by Joseph Mazer's son in the 1960s, and by his widow for a short time after his death. Louis Mazer left Mazer Brothers in 1951 and the company ended production in 1977. The Jomaz company closed in 1981.

1920S JEWELRY

1920S JEWELRY

Mazer Brothers' large vermeil cuffs and vermeil chunky link bracelets arc sought after, especially if they feature large pastes in aquamarine or amethyst. The heavy 1940s clips and pins still attract good prices for top-end pieces.

Early work is marked "Mazer Bros." Later work from Jomaz has the mark "Mazer," "Joseph Mazer," or "Jomaz."