EISENBERG JEWELRY
1935-Present
By Bobye Syverson, 

long time collector, dealer and historian of Eisenberg jewelry

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Circa 1946

Note the Eisenberg scarf, which would have the Eisenberg Original label and also state, "Spun and woven by Ponemah and executed by Combier-Chauvin".  

 
EISENBERG JEWELRY... the name alone conjures up imagines of some the the finest costume jewelry ever made. For the past 70-plus years, their pieces have had a distinctive look, a quality feel, and a fascinating history. One of Eisenberg's biggest fans is Bobye Syverson, and she has kindly shared with us her expertise, thoughts and pictures.

Question:  What first attracted you to Eisenberg jewelry?

Bobye:  During World War II, I would go in the best department store in town to admire the Eisenberg jewelry laid out on the counter. Such sparkle!  These would all have been Eisenberg Originals, of course, and my salary just did not stretch to that kind of price. I don't remember any specific piece from that long ago, but they must have really set up a desire in my head, so later when I actually started buying them, I went a little nuts on the subject! 

PHOTOS, left and center:  Eisenberg Original faux pearls and rhinestones brooch and earrings, along with the 1946 magazine advertisement for them. On the far right is an Eisenberg double clip.

Bobye:  Most jewelry collectors recognize the Eisenberg name and have some of their pieces.  There are some very SERIOUS collectors and I try to get feedback from them.  I just heard from one who says she keeps her collection of over 300 pieces in glass-sided upright units in her bedroom.  Another collector uses his pieces in combination with other antique smalls and clothing to create displays around his home.  My Eisenberg pieces are all in glass top boxes, or on a mannequin in the corner of the living room.  

Bobye:   This one is easy, it is a big clip with pink and turquoise rhinestones and it is an Eisenberg Original.  It is my pet piece, a clip  4" tall, and it was not a bargain--but I just had to have it, and have worn it for years.

In those days (the 1940's), there were some favorite rhinestone color combinations that the Eisenberg Company would use:  pink and turquoise; pink and purple; red and turquoise; light and dark topaz; aqua and ice blue;  red and crystal; and less frequently a mix of colored stones.  I have one clip that is amethyst color rhinestones with small faux turquoise balls.  Oddly enough, I do not remember seeing the colored pieces when these were new,  just the all crystal ones. 

Another favorite is the King and Queen set, shown below.

EISENBERG ORIGINAL King and Queen pronged clips... so very hard to find, and truly the royalty of Bobye's collection. Each is 2-1/2 inches tall, and Bobye thinks they were made just before or just after WWII, as they are not marked sterling.

REPRODUCTIONS  
 Imitation king clip from an unknown maker, but looking very similar to the real Eisenberg King clip.
The real Eisenberg queen pin is on the right, and the fake on the left.

  EISENBERG ORIGINAL
1935-1945

EISENBERG STERLING
1943-1948
(see Eisenberg in Morning Glory Collects)
(see Eisenberg in Jewel Chat)

EISENBERG "E" script mark
1942-1945

  EISENBERG in block letters
1945-1958
 

EISENBERG with copyright mark
(copyright symbol used after 1955)
  EISENBERG unsigned
1958-1970

EISENBERG ICE
1970-present

 
EISENBERG ORIGINALS 1940's
 

Ruth Kamke, the head designer for Eisenberg from about 1940-1972, clearly remembers the "Piggy" piece. Ruth's first designs were originally done for the Eaves Costume Company.  They were dressing a Broadway show.  Eaves was located in the same building as S&K, who actually manufactured the Eisenberg jewelry.  "Piggy" was done for Eaves, but sold as an Eisenberg Original.  
 

  Eisenberg bow brooch in it's original box.

   EISENBERG Original gold tone large bow brooch with clear rhinestones in original box, 3-5/8". Stones are graying somewhat, but it is still lovely and very wearable.  View   View   #E26187

  Back with gold-washed finish and Eisenberg Original mark.

  EISENBERG ORIGINAL made with all cabochons in red, green and blue.

  EISENBERG ORIGINAL deco looking clip.

   EISENBERG ORIGINAL clear rhinestones and artificial pearls.

The word "Original" was applied to the Eisenberg clothing line in the beginning and only later, in about 1938, was it applied to the jewelry.  
 

      EISENBERG ORIGINAL sterling 2-3/4" clip with glorious clear rhinestones... what a beauty!   View 

   EISENBERG NECKLACE a large collar in crystal clear rhinestones. (This necklace can be seen in the background of the photograph of Karl Eisenberg which appears later in this article).

   EISENBERG ORIGINAL pin/clip "grapes" brooch set in heavy gold plate.

Ruth Kamke also validated the fact that Eisenberg used signatures of both the scroll "E" and the block "E" 
 

EISENBERG ORIGINAL 1950

  EISENBERG Original clear rhinestone invisible front-fastening bracelet, 7" by 1-1/4".  View   View   View   #E22990

  EISENBERG ORIGINALS 1947 Vogue      

To see more EISENBERG ADS, click HERE

EISENBERG ORIGINAL large 3-1/8 inch clip, circa 1940.   

 EISENBERG ORIGINAL brooch. This one is 4 1/4 inches long including the dangles. 

EISENBERG ORIGINAL beaded crown brooch.

   EISENBERG unsigned clear rhinestone set in pot metal wild rose 1-1/4" dress clip.  View   #E22104

      EISENBERG ORIGINAL clear rhinestone set in pot metal wild rose 1-3/4" fur clip.  View  #E22103

    All three roses shown for scale.   View   View

         EISENBERG ORIGINAL clear rhinestone set in pot metal wild rose 1-1/4" fur clip.  View  #E22105  

  EISENBERG ORIGINAL gold tone clear rhinestone and artificial pearl dress clip, huge at 4" by 3-1/3".  View   View   #E61502 

    EISENBERG Original clear rhinestones fur clip.  View   #E19921

    CLIP which is signed only "U", but in Barbara Wood's opinion, it most definitely is an Eisenberg. The dimensions open are 5-1/2".  View

     EISENBERG ORIGINAL Made in Mexico sterling brooches.

  RING, not signed but obviously made at the same time according to Bobye.Made in Mexico

   EISENBERG ORIGINAL sterling Made in Mexico, unusual 2-1/2 by 2-1/4" brooch.
Courtesy of Barbara Wood. 

  EISENBERG ORIGINAL dress ad, circa 1940.

   EISENBERG ORIGINAL scarf ad from 1945 and actual Eisenberg scarf. It is interesting to remember that Eisenberg made clothing as well as jewelry in the early days. The Eisenberg scarf would have the Eisenberg Original label and also state, "Spun and woven by Ponemah and executed by Combier-Chauvin". 

  EISENBERG ORIGINALS 1944
Harper's Bazaar

 
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