Created circa 1906, likely as a collaboration of French and American workshops, and designed by George Marcus, this Marcus & Co. plique-à-jour enamel, diamond and conch pearl cattleya orchid pendant is mounted in platinum-topped 18K gold. The orchid of five rippled and curling leaves hangs from intertwined diamond tendrils, and suspends trailing natural conch pearl buds on articulated diamond stems. Highly three dimensional, the jewel exhibits the complexity, delicacy and fragility of a real blossom with its nuanced shades of coloration. This Art Nouveau tour-de-force of virtuoso technique and sensitive naturalism belongs to a small group of art works by Marcus that is unique in American and French artistic jewelry.

Created circa 1906, this Marcus & Co. iris blossom brooch is composed of plique-à-jour enamel and 18K gold, and represents of a fusion of American design and French enamel and jewelry arts. The fully-naturalistic three dimensional form is designed as an iris with two blossoms, one turned backward, the rippling, sinuous leaves with tones of yellow and brown, set upon branching and curving basse taille enamel stems. Of almost impossible delicacy and unusual size, its design expressing sensitive naturalism and awareness of temporal beauty, this complex iris jewel is a matchless feat of the goldsmith's art and plique-à-jour enameling by master craftsmen.

Dating from the early 1940s, this Marcus & Co. sculptural carved moonstone, sapphire and diamond seashell bracelet is set in platinum. It is designed as a series of carved urchin shells, accented by circular-cut sapphires and diamonds joined by curving lines of calibré-cut sapphires, interspersed with carved turbo shells and oval-cut sapphires, completed by a carved moonstone scallop clasp. An intriguing design whose gems exhibit intense blue phenomenon, this unique jewel conveys the beauty and luminosity of the ocean and its creatures.

"Marcus & Co.: Three Generations of New York Jewelers" is the definitive new volume on the legendary American jewelry firm, coauthored by Sheila Barron Smithie and Beth Carver Wees. It chronicles the firm's history from its 1892 founding to its closure in 1942. The book explores their significant role in creating Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry for wealthy clients like the Rockefellers, highlighting the artistic and entrepreneurial achievements of the three generations of the Marcus family. The book provides context for the development of the New York jewelry industry through significant historical events such as the Great Depression and World War II, and is lavishly illustrated with exquisite jewels, period photos, and archival design drawings.

*Each copy is signed by the authors and available exclusively at Macklowe Gallery before its wide release in mid-November.