Double Ring

Marcus and Co.

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This double ring features two bezel-set rose-cut diamonds flanking a central rectangular cabochon-cut green gem. All of the stones are foil-backed, and the mount is elaborately chased with Renaissance-style scrollwork. The inside of one band is marked 'M & Co.' for New York City jewelry firm Marcus & Company. Archaeological revival jewelry was fashionable at the time of this ring's manufacture; it takes its form from 4th century AD Roman examples. Prior to establishing Marcus & Co with his sons in 1892, German immigrant Herman Marcus (1828 - 1899) was employed by the prestigious New York City firms Tiffany & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost, and for a time partnered with the jeweler Theodore B. Starr. He was known for applying his knowledge of art and mythology to the jewels his company created. Upon his death in 1899 a remembrance published in “The Jeweler's Circular” stated "Few men who have ever been in the jewelry trade in New York have been more thoroughly versed in their business than was Herman Marcus." Marcus & Co. remained in business until 1942.

The American Wing

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works of art by African American, Euro American, Latin American, and Native American men and women. Ranging from the colonial to early-modern periods, the holdings include painting, sculpture, works on paper, and decorative arts—including furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, silver, metalwork, jewelry, basketry, quill and bead embroidery—as well as historical interiors and architectural fragments.

Metropolitan Museum of Art