Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.
The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.
However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)
While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.
Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.
A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.
Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Tea Caddy with Monogram #16850
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver tea caddy by Tiffany & Co with monogram. Monogram appears to be MSC This beautiful urn style tea caddy is done in an Art Deco pattern featuring flowers and lines. P...
Sterling Silver
$1,192Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Norwegian Silver & Cloisonné Enamel Cup and Saucer Set by David Andersen
Located in New York, NY
A rare and exquisite find for collectors of fine European silver and decorative arts, this Antique Norwegian Silver and Cloisonné Enamel Demit...
Silver, Enamel
Antique Art Deco Red Enamel & Gilt Sterling Silver Tea Strainer by N.M. Thune
By N.M. Thune
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Art Deco period tea strainer. By the Scandinavian silversmiths N.M. Thune (Oslo, Norway). In gilt sterling silver with red guilloche enamel decoration to the bowl and handle. Fully hallmarked to the reverse. Simply a wonderful tea accessory...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Sterling Silver Mocha or Coffee Set by Georg Jensen in the 'Cosmos' Pattern
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This absolutely charming coffee or mocha set was made by Georg Jensen to a design by Johan Rohde (1856-1935) known as 'Cosmos'. The set comprises of 3 pieces...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver 5 Piece Tea Service in Pattern 80
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A five-piece tea and coffee service in sterling silver with ebony handles and finials in Georg Jensen's pattern 80, designed in 1915, hallmarked for a post-1945 manufacture. While Jensen's reverence for traditional Danish design and interest in themes of nature were often married in equal part to the popular Art...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. five-piece service with silver tray
Located in BARI, IT
Beautiful and very fine silver tea and coffee service by Tiffany & Co. It consists of teapot, coffee pot, sugar bowl, milk jug and kettle with oval tray. The athermic spacers are mad...
Sterling Silver
Czech Art Deco Coffee Pot in 800 Purity Silver
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
We love a good piece of Art Deco silver, and this coffee pot from the 1920s is an exceptional example. The pot is marked to the underside with the Czechoslovakian 800 purity silver mark for large articles which was used between 1921 and 1929, giving us an eight year period in which it was manufactured. The elegant octagonal body of the pot is slightly tapered and features a die rolled vegetable motif border toward the top. Unfortunately we have been unable to identify the maker's mark 'JH' which is stamped alongside the Czechoslovakian silver...
Silver
$1,600
H 3.13 in W 1.5 in L 5.5 in
Figural Israel & Son Ltd. Sterling Silver Cow Creamer or Milk Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine figural sterling silver creamer or milk pot by Israel Freeman & Son. In the form of a cow with a loop 'tail' handle, hinged lid to the back, and spout at the mouth. A t...
Sterling Silver
$944Sale Price|20% Off
W 3 in L 5 in
Antique Silver-Tone Purple Guilloché Enamel Compact with Clock 20th Century
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Circa: Early 20th Century Dimensions: Approx. 5 x 3.5 inches (case), weight 19 grams Features: Miniature round watch on obverse, hinged powder compartment, interior mirror, chain han...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Multi Colored Coffee Cup Set with Decorative Enamel Spoons
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun yet Elegant multi colored Coffee Cup & Spoon Set. The Coffee Cups and Plates come in a set of 6 which showcase a beautiful warm complimentary palette that is easily paired among itself. A stunning set of never before used Vintage Enamel Spoons...
Enamel
Michel Perchin Silver Gilt Fountain Pen, Russian Imperial Blue Enamel, Germany.
Located in Miami, FL
Offered here is a Michel Perchin Pen. Sterling silver gilt and enamel fountain pen, made in Germany. 0728/4321. in great condition, intriguing de...
Silver, Enamel
$1,250
H 1.33 in Dm 2.16 in
Antique Russian Imperial Silver & Cloisonne Enamel Salt Cellar by Shaposhnikov
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Russian salt cellar. By Sergey Shaposhnikov. With polychrome cloisonné enamel decoration throughout. Fully marked to the base. Simply a wonderful piece of Imp...
Silver, Enamel
$607
H 3 in W 2.87 in D 0.37 in
Early 20th Century Antique Silver Enamel Figures in Garden Scene Compact
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Antique enamel and 800 silver compact. The rectangular top is enclosed by a rocaille scrollwork border with faux-lapis lazuli and faux-turquoise enamel inlay, centering a scene of a ...
Silver, Enamel
$1,595
H 6.7 in W 10.63 in
George III Sterling Silver Teapot by Peter and William Bateman with Bone Finial
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A sterling silver teapot with timber handle and bone finial by Peter & William Bateman of the famed silversmithing Bateman family. The teapot sits atop b...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Mid-Century Iced Tea Highball Spoon Straws
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Elevate your barware with this stunning set of four vintage sterling silver iced tea or highball drink stirrer straws from Tiffany & Co. Each spoon is 8.5" long and the concave mint...
Sterling Silver
Six-Piece Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Kettle on Cradle W Serving Tray 7.3 Kg
Located in New York, NY
Very Exclusive A Tiffany & Co maker's sterling silver tea set, complete with serving tray. Six Piece Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Complete Tea Set Each piece is signed and e...
Sterling Silver
Fine Silver and Shibuichi Vessel with Amethyst, Enamel
Located in Boulder, CO
This special vessel features a spring green guilloche Enamel on a Fine Silver disk housed in a casing that we fabricated from Shibuichi, a traditional Japanese decorative alloy made ...
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Cartier Antique Enamel Sterling Silver Airedale Dog Heads or Tails Flip Coin
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a sterling silver "heads-or-tails" coin painted with enamel Depicting either the front or back of a Airedale dog on either side Opaque black and brown in color - each wit...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$395
H 0.38 in W 1.37 in L 3.15 in
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Figural Shell Tea Caddy Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver tea caddy spoon. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. With a scalloped shell bowl and a wide tab handle. Fully marked to the reverse. Simply a wonderful Tiffany tea caddy...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Sterling Silver Tea Service by H Pidduck & Sons
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This four piece teaset has been crafted from sterling silver in England during the Art Deco period. The set comprises a coffee pot, a teapot, sugar and creamer which have been monogr...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Matching Sterling Silver Baluster Shape Pots
Located in London, GB
Matching sterling silver baluster shape coffee and hot water pots, with ebonised handles and finials, hallmarked Sheffield 1923, maker G&S Co LTD, measuring approximately 28cm in he...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Four-Piece Silver Tea Service
Located in London, GB
A sterling silver four-piece silver tea service, the plain design is in the early 18th century style,the two pots with scroll wooden handles, hallma...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Pewter and Wood Tea Set Zeister Holland
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930s 5 piece Art Deco Tea Set by Zeister of Holland, in an extreme Art Deco, Moderne design the Pewter set has a Wood Bottom tray, wood Finials and h...
Christofle Art deco Silver plate and wood tea set
By Christofle
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940 Christofle Silver Plate Tea set in a very Art Modern, Art Deco style. Tray measuring 15 X 12 inch and Having Very dark brown...
Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Streamline silver Tea Service
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 Tiffany & Company Sterling Silver 3 Piece Art Deco tea Service in a fantastic Streamline design that has soft tapering sides. Perfect...
Sterling Silver
George V Coffeepot & Water Pot - Art Deco - English Sterling Silver - 1935
Located in New York, NY
George V sterling silver coffeepot and hot water pot. Made by Walker & Hall in Sheffield in 1935. Each: faceted baluster body. Four attenuated hoof supports with stylized foliate mou...
Sterling Silver
French Ercuis Art Deco Tea & Coffee Service C.1930
Located in Toronto, ON
French Ercuis Art Deco silver plate and rosewood Tea and Coffee Service with Tray, C.1930. The set comprising Coffee Pot, Teapot, Milk Jug, Sugar bowl and cover and Tray. Stamped Erc...