Marcus & Co. was one of the leading exponents of American Arts and Crafts jewelry. Marcus jewels were robust, featuring brightly colored precious and semi-precious stones and brilliant enamel. Sometimes, as in the present necklace, the gold links vaguely suggest an industrial theme of padlocks, gears and wheels. The company's fine use of enamel was no doubt a result of Herman Marcus's association with Tiffany as the latter firm was known to send their enamelers to study with Lalique in Paris.
