Unger Brothers was an American jewelry manufacturer that existed from 1872 to 1919 in Newark, New Jersey.
At the time of its foundation, the company produced gold items, but since 1890, silver began to be given increasing priority.
In addition to jewelry, Unger Brothers produced tableware and glassware.
The main designer was Philomene Olin Dickenson, who was the brother of Eugene Unger’s wife and later became one of the partners in the company. Under his influence, the company switched to the production of ornate products in the Art Nouveau style, which brought recognition to the brand in subsequent periods.
Starting in 1910, the design changed towards simplification and straight lines.
The company produced jewelry until 1916, then switched to the production of toiletries, until the sale of the business in 1919.
Assortment:
- toiletry sets, including powder, blush, lipstick, various jars with body and glass, holders for hat pins, vases, hand mirrors, combs, brushes, shoe horns and button hooks, boxes, perfume bottles;
- silver tableware;
- jewelry for ladies and gentlemen: brooches and pins, outlandish chatelaines, buckles, fastenings for boutonnieres, hat pins, clips for clothes, fastenings for suspenders and stockings and other items.
Famous designs: the “Douvaine” pattern, which is a motif of scrolling foliage with a central flower.
Works of the company: the works of Unger Brothers are included in the applied art collections of major US museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian Design Museum Cooper Hewitt and others.
