Trifari Sterling Retro Suite
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU130821461812
Trifari
Costume jewelry maker Trifari is widely loved for its fine craftsmanship and complex designs for necklaces, brooches and other jewelry and accessories.
The company was formed in New York during the early 1920s, when its partners Gustavo Trifari (who descended from a family of jewelers), Leo Krussman and Carl Fishel (business associates in hair-ornament manufacturing) recognized, as other designers during the Art Deco era such as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had, that fashion trends for affordable jewelry for everyday wear represented an opportunity (and that the popularity of shorter hairstyles didn’t bode well for their haircomb business).
Initially called Trifari, Krussman and Fishel Jewelry (T.K.F.), the trio eventually shortened their brand’s name, at the suggestion of an advertising professional, to Trifari in order to evoke the romance of Gustavo’s native Italy.
The hiring of French designer Alfred Philippe as head designer in 1930 was pivotal to Trifari’s success. A master craftsman who had worked with both Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Philippe set about establishing the same high-quality standards of materials and craftsmanship in the design of fashion jewelry and trained other Trifari artisans to do the same. Settings were delicate; crystals were hand set; designs, which sometimes featured dazzling floral motifs or exquisite depictions of marine life, were sophisticated and elegant, having both the look and feel of fine jewelry. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower wore a Trifari parure of faux pearls to her husband’s presidential inauguration in 1953 and Trifari glass pearls to his inaugural ball in 1957.
Before retiring in 1968, Philippe created Trifari’s most recognizable designs. In the 1930s, when the company was custom-making accessories for the stars of Broadway musicals, it was the crown motif: These brooches became so often identified with the brand that a crown was eventually incorporated into the trademark. In the 1940s, the “Jelly Bellies” inspired affection as well as knockoffs; these were animals, birds and insects sporting a “belly” of clear Lucite. Clip-Mates were another favorite and a technical marvel — two dress clips that, joined together, created a brooch.
Find a wide range of vintage Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Arts and Crafts Suite, Gorham and Co.Located in New York, NYUnusual Gorham Arts and Crafts Suite in sterling silver. Hand hammered links are used for both the bracelet and necklace. The necklace has a center "jewel" which is silver squared o...Category
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Link Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Art Deco Crackle Glass SetLocated in New York, NYCandy colored crackle glass suite set in sterling silver form the Art Deco era. Crackle glass is produced by inserting the hot glass into cold water during production to create a "cr...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Link Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Glamorous Pear Shaped Rhinestone SuiteBy VogueLocated in New York, NYGlamorous Pear Shaped Rhinestone Suite from the 1950's. High quality manufacture with the knife edge settings which let the stones shine. The navette stones are set so they tremble w...Category
Vintage 1950s American Link Necklaces
MaterialsRhodium
- Trifari Retro Topaz DemiparureBy TrifariLocated in New York, NYWonderful Trifari gold washed sterling silver retro demiparure circa 1940. Can be worn as bracelet and necklace or as an extra long necklace. Superb quality 1940s USA. Excellent condition necklace 15 inches...Category
Vintage 1940s American Link Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Pair of Modernist Sterling Bracelets, with Necklace OptionLocated in New York, NYPair of amazing Modernist Sterling Bracelets, Necklace option when both are combined. Hand wrought by a talented silversmith in extremely heavy gauge sterling silver. Wonderful desi...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Trifari Eugenie Faux Emerald Leaf NecklaceBy Alfred Philippe for TrifariLocated in New York, NYTrifari Eugenie Faux Emerald Necklace set in green gold plate from the 1940's. Each foliate link is set with an emerald crystal which repeats thr...Category
Vintage 1940s American Retro Link Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 1980s Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace, Earring and Bracelet SetBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Toronto, OntarioFabulous 1980s Kenneth Jay Lane earring, necklace and bracelet suite of jewelry. All three feature large, ribbed gold tone metal x's linked together...Category
Vintage 1980s American Link Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Nicolis Cola 18 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace or Bracelet SetLocated in New York, NY18Kt Yellow Gold Neckace .\&Bracelet Set. Signed Nicolis Cola & bears double makers mark. Can be worn separately or together to make one longer ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- George III Garnet-Set Demi-ParureLocated in London, GBA George III garnet-set demi-parure, the necklace consisting of four garnet-set foliate clusters linked with articulated garnet-set trefoil-links, 17.5 inches long, the bracelet consisting of seventeen articulated garnet-set trefoil-links 7 inches long, all garnets cut-down set to yellow gold closed-back mount, circa 1800, gross weight 53.0 grams. A charming and detailed Georgian suite...Category
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Link Necklaces
MaterialsGarnet, Yellow Gold, Gold
- 1970s Patek Phillipe Five Piece Modernist Gold Enamel Jewelry SuiteBy Patek PhilippeLocated in New York, NYA superb and extremely stylish 1970s 5 piece jewelry suite by Patek Phillippe of 18K gold and recessed black enamel including necklace, bracelet, ear clips, ring, and brooch/pendant. Total weight 315 grams. Disks measure 3/4 inch x 1 inch. Necklace 28 inches. Bracelet 7 1/4 inches. Brooch has double pin back and hinged bale. Ring size 10. Gold and makers marks. All signed. This one-of-a-kind suite was a 1970s custom order by Princess Zora Jurisic-Makaeff (1922-2014) born in what today is Croatia. Once a classically trained opera singer, her husbands included inventor Felix Lorand; English Lord...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold
- Chiampesan Designer 18 Carat Gold and Diamond Necklace Bracelet Earrings SuiteBy ChiampesanLocated in St Helens, GBA very stylish Chiampesan designer suite of jewellery. Comprising of a chain, bracelet and earrings of matching design. 18 carat yellow gold example...Category
20th Century Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Cameo of Greek Zeus Leda Swan Gods in Italian Murano Glass Purple NecklaceLocated in Brooklyn, NYNecklace + Bracelet Set Cameo of Greek Zeus, Swan & Leda Gods Carved in Venetian Purple Murano Glas. Antique / Gothic Style Vintage Necklace and Bracelet...Category
2010s Italian Gothic Revival Link Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Sterling Silver