Featured Mystery maker of Deco sterling bubbles bracelet

Hi, all. I don't collect vintage jewelry but this nearly pristine condition Art Deco sterling silver enamel bubbles bracelet caught my eye, and I had to have it.

This is the first "bubbles" jewelry item I have ever seen in person. I've done online research and have found old fashion articles about bubbles jewelry, and have seen other exemplars in green, yellow, and black. There are also matching necklaces and earrings. Someone even has a "Pinterest" page on sterling enamel bubbles jewelry.

Some are just stamped "sterling" on the back, but mine and many others have a capital "E" in a box, so it says "sterling E." The E is the maker's mark but I cannot find out who it is.

I recently came across a similar item for sale online, which the seller had described as "Eisenberg." I was skeptical because the bubbles jewelry doesn't look like any other Eisenberg piece I have seen, and because I found a website that purports to show all of the Eisenberg marks through the years. I saw no stand-alone "E." So, I emailed the seller about it, and he said he just thought it was, e.g. no reference to an Eisenberg catalog item, or any other specific information.

I'm not an expert by any means, and the seller may be completely correct (which would be great) but the answer wasn't definitive. I couldn't find any particular date of manufacture other than in the period between the two World Wars.

Anyway, I would appreciate any information.

 

I had never heard of bubbles jewelry. Very interesting.
Here is the link to the Pinterest page
https://www.pinterest.com/debolywa/bubbles-art-deco-jewelry/

In your pictures, I do not see an "E".
I see an "L" in a square.

Here is another one from the Pinterest page
This one looks like an "O" or "D"
Maybe if you polish it and take another closer picture or the mark, we might be able to determine what it actually says.

 

I'm seeing an L as well. Get a Sunshine cloth on that.

 

This is a mystery! I have now seen some of this bubble jewelry said to be marked with "L" in rectangle **and** others said to be marked with an "E" in a rectangle/square. Editing the OP's pic to cropping down and zooming in on only the marks on the individual disks, some look like Ls and some look like Es with the top of the letter having an arm to the right. None of them are clear enough for a definite answer. Following is a link to a Skinner auction on a very similar colored bubble necklace, Art Nouveau rather than Art Deco, that is said marked with "E" in a rectangle. Darn, no pic of mark.
https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2374/lots/357

This pin is said to be marked with an"E." Nowwwww the pic of the back with the mark is disappointing because the pin is partially covering the mark.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HALLMARKED-ART-DECO-VINTAGE-STERLING-SILVER-MULTI-COLOR-ENAMEL-BUBBLES-PIN-/131207073776?nma=true&si=hxT3WUD5vmk%2FIuhHNWQyH5%2Fk8uc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

and then there are these with a definite "E" but followed with "Sterling" rather then following "Sterling."
https://www.etsy.com/listing/215217...erest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

E sterling on the big disk but Sterling E on the small ones:
http://isadoras.com/enamel-clown-bubble-necklace.html

--- Susan

 

According to the following link, it seems no one is sure of the maker though they are saying a "E."

"Bubbles
For many years, it has been an open question about the origin and dating of what are known as the "bubbles" jewelry. Found in many designs and colors, all pieces have a design of bubbles in enamel applied over sterling. One of the designs includes a Pierrot in the center.

Marks include an E in a square and STERLING, STERLING by itself or no mark.

In reviewing some of my photocopies of early Women\'s Wear Daily articles, Robin Deutsch discovered a picture and article (dated May 1, 1930) about the bubbles. The article and some pictures follow.
Date(s): May 2006. Album by Cathy Gordon. 1 - 6 of 6 Total. 7244 Visits."

I can't open the Women's Wear article on my iPad. Under the thumbnail of the article is written:

"
1
Women\'s Wear Daily May 1, 1930

Metal With enamel in Effective Designs Offered in Necklace Bracelet, Earrings
--------------------------------------
Patou\'s Metal and Black Tailored Jewelry Endorsed

Costume jewelry designed to be worn with tailored suit, emphasizing metal combined with black, or metal offset by enamel, is being promulgated by Fishel-Nessler Co. ....
The enamel group is of particular interest. Inspired by German craftsmanship, flat disks or rings are utilized, developed in metal of various shades, on which is applied a delicate design in colored enamels. Various overlapping effects are also used in the composition of these necklaces and bracelets, the matching pendant earrings being completed by a shower fringe of plain metal. similar designs are presented in sets entirely of metal, omitting the enamel decoration. Sometimes a touch of marcasite is found in this group."

Nowwww I'm not sure of this website like the sponsor/host of it. Sooooo what I'm saying enter it on your computer at your only risk!!! I've enter it on my iPad as there is absolutely nothing of value/importance on it.
http://hosting.imageevent.com/bluboi/bubbles

Here is info on The Fishel-Nessler Co. (1887-1937) noted for its Art Deco jewelry and mentioned in the above article.
http://www.simplydecorous.com/artist-designers/fishel-nessler


--- Susan

 

Hi,
The design is very similar to Inga's enamel on copper brooches . I don't know if she used Sterling Silver. It's a Beautiful find. Good Luck.

 

Thank you, all. I did find the WWD article a while ago.

I polished my bracelet with a silver cleaning cloth and looked at it through our best magnifying glass headset (we use it to paint D&D type miniatures). A higher resolution photo will not upload here.

The Mark is not as bog as on the exemplar. It looks like an "E" but the impression is light and could be an "L."



https://www.etsy.com/listing/269915805/low-shipping-to-usa-art-deco-enamel?ref=market

According to thus listing the bubbles bracelet is "iconic." This one (slightly different) has an "E."

 

Here are some more close ups. Depending on which piece you look at, the mark could be an L or a K. It is not as clear as the E mark in other examples. My vote goes for an L.