Vintage Art Deco Theodor Fahrner Sterling Vermeil Figural Turtle Pin

Theodor Fahner

Theodor Fahrner is revered for his innovative approach to jewelry design and his commitment to making artistically convincing designs accessible to a wider audience. Theodor Fahrner, Sr. and his partner Georg Seeger, founded the company, Fahrner, in 1855 in Pforzheim, Germany.

The company's journey took a significant turn in 1883 when Fahrner Sr. passed away, leaving his son, Theodor Fahrner Jr., to take the reins. Trained as a steel engraver at the prestigious Pforzheim Art Academy, Fahrner Jr. was a visionary who saw the potential in expanding the company's offerings beyond its traditional focus on rings, into a variety of jewelry types, including necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings; all crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail and quality that had defined the company's rings under Theodor Fahrner, Sr’s management.

Fahrner Jr. was more than a business owner; he was a visionary of the aesthetic reform movement, Jugendstil, the German counterpart of Art Nouveau. He revolutionized jewelry design by hiring renowned artists to design jewelry made partly or entirely by machine. Allowing the company, unlike other jewelers of the time, to produce designs in large numbers, giving every woman the ability to participate in a modern life full of beauty.

Fahrner's unique jewelry embraced various artistic movements, often combining enamel, sterling silver, and faceted colored stones such as turquoise, green agate, amazonite, and others. The use of these materials, paired with geometric style and signature colors, made Theodor Fahrner's pieces unmistakable.

Recognizing the value of collaborating with talented artists, he sought the skills of interior designers, painters, and sculptors, resulting in a diverse array of styles. This collaborative approach was the defining feature that helped build the company's reputation, and they soon found international fame when they received the silver medal at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition.

Despite Fahrner Jr.'s death in 1919 and the company's subsequent sale to Gustav Braendle, Fahrner remained resilient, even amidst the turmoil of German politics and World War II, the company continued to produce varied designs into the 1950s. However, after Braendle's death in 1979, the company was never able to fully regain its former glory, eventually ceasing production.

Today, Fahrner is remembered as a company that revolutionized the jewelry industry. The company's dedication to artistry, quality, and accessibility has solidified its place in history. Fahrner's creations remain highly coveted by collectors, testament to the timeless appeal of his unique approach to jewelry design.