An Art Nouveau enamel flower brooch

An Art Nouveau enamel flower brooch

Description

An Art Nouveau enamel flower brooch, to the centre an old European-cut diamond estimated to weigh 0.05 carats, claw-set in gold collect and surrounded by five finely modelled petals in shaded pink and green opalescent enamel, mounted in gold and gold brooch fitting, stamped 14k with Henry Blank & Co. makers mark to clasp, circa 1900, measuring approximately 2.8cm wide, gross weight 5.2 grams.

A charming Art Nouveau enamel flower brooch. The delicate green and pink enamel creates a subtle display of colour, and the opalescent shine produces a soft glow to the piece, topped only by a touch of sparkle by the diamond to the center. This brooch was designed by Henry Blank & Co, USA.
The original firm was formed as a jewellery manufacturer in 1890, and named N.E. Whiteside & Co, with Newton Whiteside, a jewellery sales professional, as the company’s head. Henry Blank was born to German parents in Providence, Rhode Island. From an early age he was interested in jewellery, and after leaving school in the eighth grade, he worked his way from porter’s assistant to an apprentice at one of Newark’s most prominent jewellers, Durand and Company. In 1899, Henry Blank, now experienced goldsmith, designer, and friend of Newton Whiteside, bought one third of the company and the name changed from N.E. Whiteside & Co to Whiteside and Blank, Blank overseeing production. Blank greatly expanded the company’s line of products and his tours of Europe were a further source of inspiration, including designs inspired by the Art Nouveau movement, enamel work, festoon necklaces and use of platinum in jewellery. Newton Whiteside retired in 1912, and Blank took over as president, renaming the company Henry Blank & Co.