With intricate and refined artistry, the jewelers at J.E.Caldwell & Co. have been handcrafting illustrious watches and adornments — including cocktail rings, engagement rings and link bracelets — for nearly two centuries. The American firm, which is among the oldest silver and jewelry companies in the United States, has found acclaim with collectors and buyers worldwide.
Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, J.E. Caldwell & Co. founder James Emmott Caldwell (1813–81) apprenticed as a silversmith and subsequently trained in watchmaking under the esteemed watchmaker Samuel Ward Benedict in New York City. Following his apprenticeships, Caldwell sought work in Philadelphia, initially securing a position with a wholesale jeweler before importing watches for a jewelry manufacturer. In the late 1830s, he established a storefront of his own, in a stately marble building on Chestnut street. Caldwell partnered with James M. Bennett thereafter in order to launch a jewelry shop nearby that they called Bennett & Caldwell. With the passing of Bennett, Caldwell partnered with a former employer, John C. Farr, and changed the company name, establishing the J.E. Caldwell & Co. of today.
In 1876, Philadelphia hosted the first World’s Fair held in the United States. Alongside the Gorham Manufacturing Company — a legendary but largely overlooked American silver firm — J.E. Caldwell showcased an array of stunning jewelry and silver objects at the event’s Centennial International Exhibition. In the early 1900s, J.E. Caldwell was contracted to fashion a presentation silver tea service — more than 160 pieces — for a newly commissioned battleship, the U.S.S. Pennsylvania. The brand’s exquisite silver wares traveled at sea aboard this battleship — and later, on the U.S.S. Valley Forge — for decades.
J.E. Caldwell & Co. became known for exquisite Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry. Ownership of the firm passed through the family over the years before changing hands to business interests outside of the family. Today a J.E. Caldwell & Co. retail location continues to operate in Philadelphia.
Find antique and vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique Jaccard & Co. Saint Louis Coin Silver Mint Julep Cup
By Mermod Jaccard & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver mint julep cup. By Jaccard & Co. of Saint Louis (ca. 1864-1873). In coin silver. With a beaded rim and footrim. Marked to the base. Simply a wonderful ...
Silver
$1,243
H 0.75 in W 3 in
Mark J. Scearce Sterling Silver Gerald R Ford Mint Julep Cup w/Monogram #21026
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Mark J Scearce sterling silver Gerald R Ford mint julep cup with monogram. Monogram appears to be CHC Well known maker of mint julep cups, Mark J Scearce of Shelbyville, Kentucky, ...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Victorian Sterling Silver Travelling Collapsible Beaker
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver collapsible beaker - boxed; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This impressive antique Victorian sterling silver travelling collapsible beaker has a circular tapering form. The surface of the beaker is plain and unembellished, apart from the hallmarks to each concentric section. The interior of the beaker retains the original gilt interior. This antique beaker...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Rare Antique Chester Sterling Silver Beaker / Cup 1785 18th Century
Located in London, GB
A Rare Antique Silver Beaker with a flared straight sided design with a subtle banded trim on the rim and foot. The understated elegance coupled with the rare Chester mark makes this...
Sterling Silver
$795
H 3.13 in Dm 2.5 in
Antique Art Deco Georg Jensen Sterling Silver 'Pyramid' Cocktail Cup No. 600 A
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed Danish Modern silver cocktail cup. By Georg Jensen. In sterling silver. In the Pyramid pattern No. 600 A. Designed by Harald Nielsen in 1930. Marked to the base o...
Sterling Silver
$210
H 2.75 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Antique Christofle French Silver Plated Shot Glass Goblet Cup w/ Wreath Pattern
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Christofle French Silver Plated Shot Glass Goblet Cup with Interlocking Continued Wreath Pattern. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 2.75" x 2.5" Diameter.
Silver Plate
$1,228
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Antique Collapsible Sterling Silver Beaker by George Unite, Birmingham, 1913
By George Unite
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1913 by George Unite, this very handsome, antique sterling silver beaker, is collapsible and plain in style,...
Sterling Silver
$350
H 9.88 in Dm 3.75 in
Art Deco Silver Plate Cocktail Shaker by Silversmith Longuet, Paris, circa 1950
By Travail Francais
Located in Atlanta, GA
French silversmith Maison Longuet, Paris, crafted this stunning modernist silver plate cylindrical cocktail or Martini shaker. The three-sectioned cocktail shaker has a removable cap...
Metal, Silver Plate
Vintage Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Cocktail Shaker, Early 20th Century
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Material: Sterling Silver Weight: 657.2 grams Dimensions: 8 2/8 inches x 3 3/8 inches (bottom), circa 5 inches at widest Monogram: FRH This substantial cocktail shaker crafted in st...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Midcentury Silver Plated Ice Bucket
By Christian Dior, Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful clean lined silver plated ice bucket. This piece is late 1950s and stands the test of time. The beautiful vessel design is held by 2...
Silver Plate
Rare JFK-Era Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cup by Scearce of Kentucky
By Mark J. Scearce
Located in New York, NY
JFK-era sterling silver mint julep. Retailed by Scearce in Kentucky. Traditional form with tapering sides and beaded rims. A hard-to-find cup from Kennedy’s incomplete single term (1...
Sterling Silver
Scearce Reagan Booming Eighties Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cup
By Mark J. Scearce
Located in New York, NY
Reagan-era sterling silver mint julep cup. Made by Scearce in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Straight and tapering sides, and beaded and molded rim and foot. Ronald Reagan was president from...
Sterling Silver
American Sterling Silver Old-Country Friday Night Wine Cup
Located in New York, NY
American sterling silver wine cup, ca 1950. Tapering bowl with flared and molded rim and short inset foot. Naif Old-Country engraved ornament with four ovoid pointille frames of whic...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Baby Cup
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1875. Straight bowl; short inset foot with lined zigzagging between beaded borders. Scroll-bracket...
Sterling Silver
Set of 4 American Sterling Silver Small 3-Inch Mint Julep Cups
By Manchester Silver Co. & S. S.
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 sterling silver mint juleps. Made by Manchester in Providence. Each: Traditional form with straight and tapering sides and reeded rims in small starter size. Fully marked in...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Victorian Classical Coin Silver Baby Cup
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Straight sides; bracket handle with volute scroll cap and split mount. Engraved leafing-scroll cartou...
Silver
