Page 25 - JOA 12-20

Eisenberg Originals jeweled perfume bottle in
original box with twenty-three jewel-tone,
multi-colored, prong-set round rhinestones on gold
tone framework, circa 1940s. Sold for $282

THE ORIGINAL EISENBERG

As chronicled in the book, Jonas Eisenberg immigrated from Austria to
Eisenberg Originals the United States in the late 1800s and worked in the fashion industry for 30
rare belt buckle with years before founding a fine dress company with his brother, Julius, in 1914. The
faux turquoise in
various sizes & shapes, partnership dissolved within five years, after which Jonas moved to Chicago and
bezel-sets, pot metal launched Eisenberg & Sons with sons Harold and Sam, both in their 20s.
with floral designs, At first, Eisenberg & Sons was solely a dress manufacturer. The company
links & scrollwork, label, Eisenberg & Sons Originals, was defined by luxurious designs that
late 1930s, includes showcased impeccable taste. The company stepped into the world of jewelry
original advertisement. when rhinestone dress accents evolved as individual jewelry pieces that were sewn
Sold for $625 onto the dress to finish the look. Jewelry became a separate line by 1935.
“Eisenberg & Sons was one of the first American design houses,” Schwartz
said. “The jewelry that bears their mark is among the finest costume pieces ever made.
They used only the finest craftsmen, designers, and available materials that were
workable for a vintage piece of jewelry. For instance, they used Austrian Swarovski
crystals, which had a higher lead content than other, less expensive crystals. It’s what
helped give Eisenberg jewelry its shimmer and brilliance.”
That commitment to excellence spilled over to the company’s other lines, like
fragrances, belts, scarves, and what Schwartz called “ladies’ things,” all of which were in
her collection. When the country plunged into the Great Depression, Eisenberg & Sons
not only survived but flourished and grew. In 1929 it hosted three showings daily of
designs (just dresses) for a variety of ages.
Eisenberg Original black crepe cocktail dress with front By the mid-1930s, Eisenberg & Sons had figured out that the jewelry component
draping, asymmetrical keyhole neckline outlined with of their business—initially an add-on—could be autonomous (and profitable). The
elaborate, rust-colored beading, large sunburst &
green stone center, 1940s. Sold for $250 adornments were an integral part of the vision of each dress, but now the jewels could be
removed or worn with a different garment. Women raced to own these pieces, which
came packaged in a blue velvet box.

JEWELRY MOVES TO THE FOREFRONT

Eisenberg & Sons very quickly solidified its place in the
fashion industry as the first dress company to make jewelry
d that complemented its fashions. The company didn’t design
h its early jewelry, incidentally. That job was outsourced to
d Agnini & Singer in Chicago, with whom they formed a
partnership. Agnini & Singer deserves praise for its
beautiful, elaborate decorations.
Later, when the Eisenbergs launched a full jewelry
line, it severed ties with Agnini & Singer, perhaps
because the demand for the jewelry had grown so
large Agnini & Singer might not have been able to
handle the increased volume. Demand was so great
that, according to legend, some women would go into a
store, try on an Eisenberg dress, remove the pin, steal it,
and ditch the dress.

Eisenberg Original lipstick mirror in the shape of lips, surrounded by faceted ruby
crystals, includes original branded pouch, 1940s, with original 1943 Vogue advertisement. Sold for $150

December 2020 23