The Mystery of HAR Jewelry

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Researching Costume Jewelry

 originally published by Dotty Stringfield on IllusionJewels.com

THE MYSTERY OF HAR JEWELRY

by Dotty Stringfield

©2008

 
Jewelry marked “HAR” has long been a mystery to collectors and dealers. What company used the mark, and who was behind the company? Thanks to the independent research efforts of Roberto Brunialti and Sue Klein, the mystery has been solved.
 

HAR Dragon Set

Roberto, while researching in the U.S.A Copyright Office in the Washington Library of Congress, found that the “HAR” mark was owned by Hargo Creations in New York. He also learned that Joseph Heibronner and Edith Levitt founded Hargo in 1955.
 

Sue Klein discovered more information on Heibronner and Levitt. Heibronner was born in 1893 in Munich, Germany, became a U.S. citizen in 1948 and married Edith Levitt in 1952. Their address at that time was on Grove St. in New York City. Joseph died in August of 1968, so that is probably why Roberto found nothing on Hargo past 1967.
 

The “HAR” mark was probably used beginning in 1955 to 1957, or so. Some pieces of HAR jewelry are among the most sought after by collectors and often bring fantastic prices for dealers. Included in this are the dragon, cobra and “Chinaman” pieces, with full parures bringing the highest prices.

 
Roberto even found dates for when many of these favorites were copyrighted:

HAR “Chinaman” Jewelry

• April 1959: Dragon Design bracelet, earrings, necklace and brooch (Roberto believes the “Cobra Set” dates from the same year, as do the non figural pieces using the same translucent stones known as “dragon teeth”).
• April 1959: Far Eastern bracelet, necklace, earrings and brooch (Probably refers to the “Genie Set” sorceress, turbaned heads, etc.)
• May 1960: Chinese face and figure pieces
• No more copyrighted designs until September 1967: Insect pin; Roberto believes many cheaper “HAR” pieces belong to the same time period.

Other pieces of “HAR” that are quickly gaining popularity are enameled fruits, vegetables, flowers and whimsical human and animal figurals. Classically styled pieces with unusual stones are also being snapped up by collectors.
 

Thanks to Roberto Brunialti and Sue Klein for their great research and willingness to share with others.

 
All photos courtesy of Sheri Weiss of Boo Bears Baubles on RubyLane.com.