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Corocraft | 'Jewels of Fantasy' Enamel Lizard with Pearl
Corocraft | 'Jewels of Fantasy' Enamel Lizard with Pearl
. . . . Charming!
Corocraft
This charming enameled Lizard with a sparkling spine not only steals the 'egg' but also steals the show. The designer certainly captures the getaway of a lizard after meticulous planning in securing an egg from a nest. The brooch/pin is really incredible and highly desirable for collectors. You will find it featured in "Jewels of Fantasy", by Cera, page 175. Also featured in "American Costume Jewelry Vol. 1", by Roberto Brunialti, page 139. Patent 133,469 issued by the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office August 18, 1942.
Features enamel in shades of reptilian green and brown with a sparkling rhinestone spine. The brooch is in very good vintage condition with very little wear to the enamel. The rhinestones are all present and have yellowed a bit with age and some have a bit of darkening. All of this leads me to believe the stones are the original set rhinestones. The large imitation pearl is also in good shape with expected wear and a slight area where the pearl finish is missing (see photos).
Measurements:
Brooch - approximately 2 ¾" x 1 ⅞".
Corocraft Jewelry History —
Coro founded in the late Twenties, was at one time the largest manufacturer of costume jewelry in the world, selling an incredible $33 million per year at their peak. The Coro name combined the first two letters of the last names of the founders, Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger. They had offices or plants in New York & Providence and at times they had a presence in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Toronto, England and Mexico.
Adolph Katz was responsible for Coro's team of designers and for their marketing choices. Among his top designers was Selwyn Young, who contributed many of the outstanding 1940's designs, later joining the Lisner jewelry organization. Another designer was Anthony Aquilino, who later formed his own company, Anthony Creations. Others who contributed to Coro's designs were the Verrecchia brothers, Gene and Reno, who later founded GemCraft, still in business today in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Coro was the first major American manufacturer of costume jewelry to make double clips, which they soon became famous for their animal and floral "Duettes." Much sought-after, they have now become a collecting field in their own right. Clips were a mainstay of the 1920s jewelry, worn on furs or dresses to highlight an attractive feature, such as a lapel or plunging neckline. Coro came out with a version of the double clip on the heels of Louis Cartier after he patented the double clip. The initial designs were often Art Deco in style and decorated with pave-set clear rhinestones. Coro's greatest success, however, came with the creation of its figural Duettes and delicate trembler flowers mounted on springs.
Brand names, which were branches of the Coro network, were Vendome (which succeeded CoroCraft) and Francoise. Coro enterprises ceased operation in the 1970s. The family members who owned Coro stock sold 51% of it to Richton, Intl. Corp., who bought the remaining stock in 1970. Richton also owned the Oscar de la Renta brand. By 1979 all the Coro companies, except the Canadian company, were bankrupt. It was sold to a South American company in 1992, which also went bankrupt.
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yesteryear? Well, most of us do!
The ladies were smaller than the women of today.
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The ladies were smaller than the women of today.
NO Problem, be sure to check out our necklace extenders.