They specialized in metal art and maintained a staff of artists and sculptors to craft their metal art objects ("Nouveau" metal art) which included clocks, bookends, statues, metal cases, candelabras and some silver-plated utensils. Their original items were signed with the initials "JB" on each pieces. Many JB objects are sold at auctions: http://www.chs.org/bookends . Older residents of Brideport can probably find at least one JB object in their house.
In the early 1950's the Jennings Brothers Manufacturing Company went out of business and the art object casts were purchased by another company in Philadelphia, PA. They used the original JR casts to manufacture replicas which are cheaper versions of the original JR items sold at art auctions.
One of the items which the Jennings Brothers produced was a small-scale version of a famous sculpture by Cyrus Dallin of "Massasoit". This item was owned by the Medicine Man Gallery: http://www.medicinemangallery.com/collection/deceased,-other/c/Dallin-1861%252D1944,-Cyrus-E/1/Jennings-Brothers--Reproduction-of-Cyrus-Dallins-(1861%252D1944)-Massasoit . The following is a JB clock design from the era 1900-1910:
[NOTE: This is simply one of the blog posts. If you have questions about the value
of any Jennings Brothers items, you have to ask an appraiser. I am not an appraiser.]
Thank you for the info. Question - once the molds were sold, how were the items then signed or were they signed at all?
ReplyDeleteThe original casts or products had a "JB" insignia. Once the casts were sold they were not truly Jennings Brothers originals. I will have to see if I can find the details of the sales of the casts. However, if I recall the cheaper, later replicas should not have the "JB" insignia.
DeleteThey still used the JB mark. You can tell the difference by the quality of the casting and the detailing in the final object. I have an original Fisherman, and the difference from the bookends that are being sold online is quite substantial.
DeleteJennings Brothers made a desk set that is nearly identical to the Tiffany & Co. "Adam" pattern. Was this a copy, or is it possible that JB also make items for Tiffany?
ReplyDeleteThis is my blog and I cannot answer specific questions about the 'value' of Jennings Brothers items. For this, you would have to ask an appraiser about the estimated value of the item.
ReplyDeleteThe Jennings Brothers Mfg Company was founded by my great, great grandfather, Austin Morehouse Jennings and his three sons; Erwin (my great grandfather), Edward, and Henry. I have an extensive collection and a number of artifacts and information about the company.
ReplyDeletePeter Jennings Talbot
Pequot61 I would love to connect with you! My great grandfather is Edward Austin Jennings, who my Dad is named after.
DeleteI found a beautiful and heavy small clock and at the back of the clock it says: PATENTED
ReplyDeleteJAN 15, 1878
MAY 6, 1890
DEC 29 1890
JAN 13 1891
So the company started earlier