Brothers Louis and Harry Farber were born in Russia in the late 19th century and immigrated to the United State just after the turn of the 20th century.
Louis and Harry began working for S. W. Farber, their older brother who sold products under the name Farberware. In 1915 they formed their own company, using the trade name Farber Brothers Krome-Kraft.
Many collectors mistakenly believe that Farberware and Farber Brothers are synonymous, but despite the fact that all three were brothers, there was in fact no relationship between the two companies. Farberware is still in business today.
Louis and Harry decided to make hollow-ware and brass products that they could sell at competitive prices in the market, a business concept that was successful for nearly fifty years.
Farber Brothers patented their famous clip-on, clip-off holder in 1932, which helped the company grow rapidly. The invention entailed a stand or base that held china inserts, which could be inexpensively replaced if the glass chipped, cracked or broke.
Louis Farber purchased the Sheffield Silver Company in 1935, and continued to operate it separately from Farber Brothers, producing the patented holders in sterling and silver-plate, with glass inserts. Even though the Sheffield pieces had a different logo mark, the Farber Brothers design is quite obvious. Sheffield holders and inserts are coveted by collectors.
By the 1950s, as Farber Brothers’ famed non-tarnishing chrome holders went out of style, brass versions were introduced to try and compensate for lower unit sales. The brass models sold well but only for a brief period and overall sales continued to decline until 1965, when the company shut down operations.
Sheffield Silver continued operating until 1973, when Reed and Barton purchased the company, ending the Farber Brothers fifty year legacy.
About 80% of the glass inserts were produced by Cambridge Glass Company, while other companies including Fenton, Fostoria, Indiana, Corning, Westmoreland, and Duncan and Miller also produced inserts for Farber Brothers.
Farber Brothers also produced various other product including butter dishes, candy dishes, candelabras, candlesticks, console sets, compotes, oil and vinegar sets, condiment sets, salt and pepper sets, open salts, and sugar and creamer sets.
Their stemware and barware product lines included cocktail, beer and wine glasses, cordials, tumblers, decanters, ice pails, pitchers, decanters, and juice jugs.
A variety of colors were available, including amber, amethyst, green, royal blue, crystal white, ebony, milk white, pistachio, emerald and others.
The most common colors you will find in Farber Brothers inserts are amethyst and amber, which correspondingly tend to have the lowest prices. Farber Brothers’ items continue to attract collectors’ attention but still offer a good value to the enthusiast who appreciates the non-tarnishing chrome, silver or brass style holders and glass or china inserts that made Farber Brothers so well known in the early to mid 20th century period.