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James E. Caldwell trained as a silversmith and worked for a short period of time in New York City before opening a small watchmaker's shop on Fifth and Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, sometime in the early 1830s. Upon opening, Caldwell's business quickly flourished. In 1839, he began to supply wealthy Philadelphians with stylish European jewellery, silver, and "objets d'art". In 1848, the firm took on its current name, J. E. Caldwell and Co. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the company began to create beautiful gem-set, handcrafted Art Nouveau jewels. Throughout the 1920s, it produced elegant pieces of Art Deco jewellery for which it is still renowned today. Caldwell pieces are among the finest examples of American Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewellery.