ZODIAC JEWELRY
In the early 1900s the famous Newark jewelry design firm, Sloan & Co., created a series of twelve pendants or lockets with each sign of the Zodiac. From Aquarius to Capricorn each is a work of art unto itself. The Three Graces has been fortunate to obtain a small collection. Just ask about our selection available.
LEARN ABOUT SLOAN & CO.
Sloan & Co. was one of the renowned manufacturers of American Art Nouveau and Edwardian era jewelry located in Newark, New Jersey. With a prestigious jewelry shop in New York City, Sloan & Co. presented the café society with any number of exquisite jewelry choices.
In 1891 the company became known as John A. Riley & Sloan & Company when Frank Sloan joined the business. In 1895 it became Sloan & Co and in 1896 an office was opened at 21 Maiden Lane in New York City. The company produced elegant jewelry for high-end retailers all across the nation including Cartier and Tiffany. The city of Newark played a major role in the design and manufacture of jewelry from around the 1800s through to the 1950s with Sloan & Co. one of the major players and innovative for the time also producing affordable jewelry for middle-class Americans. The business closed around 1950. Their hallmark is similar to a trident (see below).
Much of their earlier designs incorporated repoussé (or raised imagery from the reverse), enamel and fine detailing.
A little known fact is that during its peak, Newark jewelers created 90% of America’s 14k gold and 50% of its 18k jewelry.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF SLOAN PIECES OF JEWELRY
Above left is a puffy heart locket with diamond center. Centered a petite peacock blue guilloche enamel with white enamel border and natural pearl center locket in the round. At the right, a gorgeous repousse Art Nouveau abstract designed locket. Each in 14k gold and all exquisitely crafted and created in the earlier decades of the 20th century.
THE STORY BEHIND THE FIND
Back in 2011, our owner Lisa, found a gold Capricorn Zodiac sign pendant by Sloan & Co. A year later, she uncovered a Pisces themed pink enamel pendant brooch & watch hanger by the same company. To this day it is one of those pieces that she regrets selling (and she is a Sag!). She knew that there must have been a series made, designed around 1910-1920 by the illustrious Sloan & Co. of Newark, NJ.
The hunt was on for even one more. It goes to show you that you get what you focus on. For a small collection of original old stock of these amazing pendants and lockets came to The Three Graces’ very door just the other day. The moment Lisa laid eyes on one, with patina so dark it didn’t resemble gold and in a dingy plastic bag, she knew. It only took more than 7 years, but who’s counting. These are the original, antique pendants and lockets all signed Sloan and in 14k gold.