Vintage "Lisner" Peacock Aurora Borealis and Faux Emerald Ear Rings /Circa 1956-60

These beautiful ear rings came from Volunteer's of America as well as the Russian lacquer trinket box they're sitting on. Thanks to an old Ruby Lane auction I found a great picture but no price as they had already sold. I had hoped to get more info about their exact composition but the description was already removed. The ear rings have a "C" scroll shape with a gold vermeil finish. Nestled in the center of each is an oval faux emerald with two "peacock" aurora borealis crystals. They are screw back and the Lisner copyright mark is stamped on the head of each screw. They date to after 1955 according to the mark guide on the "Illusion" jewels costume jewelry website. The little Russian lacquer box is not that old but it is signed by the artist and dated 1991. -Mike-

Lisner History

Coutesy of
lillysvintagejewelry.com
guyotbrothers.com

David Lisner and Company was founded in the early 1900s in New York City. Lisner was a manufacturer and wholesale of jewelry and novelties. The mark Lisner with block letters was first used in 1959. They made a wide variety of jewelry from top of the line to average everyday pieces. In the 1970's they were listed as Lisner-Richelieu Corporation.
Over the last two years, Lisner jewelry has spiked in value. In October 2006, a Lisner red maple leaf parure, comprising a necklace, bracelet and earrings achieved a record price on E-bay for $610! There are numerous variations of Lisner leaf jewelry. There are at least 15 colors and color variations of the maple leaf set alone! The resin leaves have over a dozen different shapes! There are even multiple varieties of resin flowers! Some of the colors and shapes are quite rare and difficult to find, but it makes hunting for them all the more enjoyable! Recently, some fakes have entered the marketplace, in the form of poorly constructed floral and Christmas tree pins. There are often multiples of these items for sale on E-bay, which can be a warning that these items may not be genuine. Presently, there have been no reproductions made of the ‘jelly’ plastic Lisner jewelry.
Collectors are now appreciating Lisner fashion jewelry for its mid-century modern appeal. Unlike some of Lisner’s competitors, the jewelry the company produced in the 1950s and 1960s looks timeless and modern, with clean, sharp edges. (The Lisner jewelry pictured here was produced in the 1950s and 1960s.) Lisner jewelry has an abstract, geometric sensibility with designs that are often derived from nature, incorporating leaves, fruits and flowers. The jewelry of the mid-century can often be fussy and overdone. Victor Ganz’s daughter, Kate Ganz Belin remembers her father’s keen sense of fashion and good taste. “He tried to get away from the Mamie Eisenhower thing,” she said. Lisner jewelry captures the spirit of the age in a different way from the styles of Coro and Trifari jewelry from the same period. The enterprising David Lisner would be proud that his ancestors produced such classic costume jewelry that we still admire over twenty years since it was last produced.