Catalin French Jewelry
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
Wool, Silk, Bakelite
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Brass
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1960s French Artist Pendant Necklaces
Mixed Metal
2010s American Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Egyptian Revival Charm Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Silver
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Musical Instruments
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Band Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Brooches
Silver
Late 20th Century French Modernist Brooches
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Dry Bars
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Unknown Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s American Coat Racks and Stands
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Bakelite
Vintage 1960s French Egyptian Revival Bangles
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Hoop Earrings
Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Tobacco Accessories
Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
A Close Look at art-deco Jewelry
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.