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.
Shreve & Co. Mixed Metal Art Deco Table Clock, circa 1930's
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve STYLE / REFERENCE: Table Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Brass Gilded Metal CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 5 X Width 4 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / 8 Days DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Applied Breguet Numerals...
Black Starr and Frost Art Deco Footed Desk Clock Gilt and Nickel Finish, 1930s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Black Star and Frost STYLE / REFERENCE: Footed Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Gilt and Nickel Finished CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 8" Wide X 5" Tall MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Fully Applied Arabic Numerals WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique clock from the 1930's was sold by one the countries oldest jewelry houses. The clock runs for 8 days and was manufactured in Switzerland. The clock is beautifully constructed and entirely hand made. it will great on desk or a small mantle...
Cartier European Watch & Clock Co. Gilded Art Deco Chiming Desk Clock 1930's
By Cartier
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: European Clock & Watch Co. / Cartier STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Chiming Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Gilt Brass and Bronze with Beve...
1930s E. Gubelin Art Deco Desk Clock in the Asian Chinese Style
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: E. Gubelin, Lucerne Switzerland STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco, Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: CIRCA / YEAR: DIMENSIONS: Length 5.75 Inches (14cm) long x Diameter 4 inche...
J.W. Benson Gilt Art Deco Clock with Hand Painted Dial, circa 1920s
By J.W. Benson
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson Jewelers to STYLE / REFERENCE: Desk METAL / MATERIAL: Gilt and Brass CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE...
J.E.Caldwell & Co. Art Deco Desk Clock circa 1930s with Engraved Dial
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E.Caldwell, Philadelphia STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Finish CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 8 Inch Square MOVE...
Shreve & Co. Mixed Metal Art Deco Table Clock, circa 1930's
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Table Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nickle Brass Gilded Metal CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENTIONS / SIZE: 5 x 4 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / 8 Days DIAL / HANDS: Silvered Dial with Applied Breguet Numerals...
Brass, Nickel
Zenith Watch Co., Swiss Art Deco Metal Dore and Cloisonne Enamel Clock, 1920s
Located in New York, NY
Zenith SA is a Swiss luxury watchmaker. The company was started in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot at the age of 22, in Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel. Zenith w...
Metal
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Enameled Table Clock
By Salimbeni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Art deco octagonal table clock cm. 10x10 in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent black and red fired enamels on guilloché, Swiss mechanical skeletal movement, winding 8 days The miniatures are hand-painted on a usually white homogeneous enamel base. The same colored glazes are used, but ground much finer, which are mixed with special oils to form an infinite palette of colors. The paint must be gradually dried on electric stoves...
Sterling Silver
Swiss Art Deco Enamel-Border 8-Day Desk Clock, c. 1925–1935 *Luminescence*
By Cartier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined small-format Art Deco desk clock with an unmistakably Swiss 8-day movement, presented in a square gilt-bronze case with a fold-out strut back. The front is framed by a cris...
Bronze, Enamel
J.E.Caldwell & Co. Art Deco Desk Clock circa 1930s with Engraved Dial
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E.Caldwell, Philadelphia STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Finish CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 8 Inch Square MOVEMENT / CA...
Nickel
Vintage Jaeger Mechanical Desk/Travel Alarm Clock – Art Deco Brass & Bakelite
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in London, GB
Vintage Jaeger Mechanical Desk/Travel Alarm Clock – Art Deco Brass & Bakelite – Original Box – French Made (1930s–50s) A beautiful and rare find, this Jaeger mechanical alarm clock offers vintage style, functionality, and collectible value—all in one compact piece. Likely produced between the 1930s and 1950s, this charming French-made Art Deco desk or travel clock is presented in very good vintage condition and comes with its original Jaeger presentation box. This clock reflects the high standard of craftsmanship associated with Jaeger, a predecessor and partner to Jaeger-LeCoultre, long before the official merger. Its brass-tone metal case, paired with a black Bakelite surround and base, frames a striking gold-tone dial with raised Arabic numerals and luminous cathedral-style hands. Powered by a manual wind mechanical movement, the clock features a fully functioning independent alarm with separate winding and clear French-labeled controls on the backplate—“Aig. Mouv.” / “Rem. Mouv.” for time, and “Aig. Rév.” / “Rem. Rév.” for alarm settings. Key Features: Brand: Jaeger (pre-Jaeger-LeCoultre) Type: Mechanical desk/travel alarm clock Origin: France Era: 1930s–1950s Case: Brass-tone frame with black Bakelite surround and base Dial: Gold-tone with raised Arabic numerals and luminous cathedral hands Movement: Manual wind (separate winding for time and alarm) Alarm: Manual set and wind, with functional on/off switch Regulator: A/R (Avance / Retard) lever for fine adjustment Dimensions: Approx. 6cm x 6cm face Box: Original Jaeger-branded maroon presentation box (well worn, but intact) Condition Overview: Clock: Excellent for age, with only minor surface wear and patina Crystal: Clear and free from cracks or chips Functionality: Keeps accurate time and alarm function works as intended Box: Original with vintage wear but structurally sound Our View: A wonderful piece of pre-Jaeger-LeCoultre history, this vintage Jaeger alarm...
