Mikimoto Art Deco Silver Mother-of-Pearl Cufflinks and Shirt Stud Set
View Similar Items
Mikimoto Art Deco Silver Mother-of-Pearl Cufflinks and Shirt Stud Set
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Silver
- Place of Origin:Japan
- Period:1930-1939
- Date of Manufacture:1930's
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Lauderdale by the Sea, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU130515043641
Mikimoto
Born to a noodle-shop owner, Japanese jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto (1858–1954) worked in the seafood business before shifting his focus to pearl cultivation. In 1893, he successfully developed the world’s first cultured pearls with a semispherical specimen. His further experimentation would include black and white South Sea pearls. This development gave Mikimoto a supply of what had once been a notoriously rare natural element and earned him the nickname “The Pearl King.” As he once said, “My dream is to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls.”
In 1899 in Tokyo’s Ginza district, Mikimoto opened his first, eponymous store in a white-stone building reminiscent of the color of pearls. He quickly earned a reputation for dazzling designs that blended Japanese craftsmanship and European influence. Mikimoto sent his jewelers to Europe to study the latest trends in jewelry and design; they brought back knowledge of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, which were incorporated into designs featuring Mikimoto’s pearls.
But Mikimoto’s creations were not met with enthusiasm by all. In 1921, a London newspaper called the designer’s jewelry “only imitations of real pearls” and claimed the company was “misleading” its customers. It developed into a lawsuit in the French courts, which ruled in Mikimoto’s favor, and raised the jeweler’s global profile. He also brought his work international acclaim through exhibitions and world’s fairs, including the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia where he unveiled a replica of the Liberty Bell covered with pearls. In 1927, Mikimoto met with Thomas Edison, who gave the jeweler’s invention probably its best compliment: “It is one of the wonders of the world that you were able to culture pearls. . . . This isn’t a cultured pearl, it’s a real pearl.”
Following World War II, Mikimoto opened stores around the world, with locations now in Paris, New York City, Los Angeles and Shanghai. Though its founder died in 1954, the Mikimoto company has continued to build on the legacy he established, producing collections of pearl necklaces and other pearl-centric jewelry that span a wide range of styles. In 2017, the brand reopened its flagship Tokyo store, tapping architect Hiroshi Naito to design a new glittering facade whose 40,000 tiny glass plates are meant to evoke the movement of the ocean as they catch the light. The place where Mikimoto had his legendary success over a century ago is now known as Mikimoto Pearl Island and includes a museum on his life and pearls. A highlight is the “Boss’s Necklace,” which was the first made by Mikimoto and is the model for all the brand’s classic strands that have followed.
Find Mikimoto pendant necklaces, choker necklaces and a range of other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Vintage 14 Karat Gold Men's Lapis Cufflinks by La Triomphe 14.95 Gram Full SizeBy La TriompheLocated in Lauderdale by the Sea, FLDetails & Condition: Beautiful full size pair of 14k gold and Lapis cufflinks by the renowned La Triomphe / Astoria Jewelry Company of New York. These cufflinks are from in excellent...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cufflinks
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 14k Gold
- 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Feather Ring Vintage 1920s Art DecoLocated in Lauderdale by the Sea, FLThis is one of those rings you will probably never see again; it is just that unusual. It has come down from one family with European roots, and was always known as the "flapper girl...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
- Bold 14 Karat Gold Etruscan Cocktail Ring Large Big 10 Carat Amethyst and PearlLocated in Lauderdale by the Sea, FLDetails & Condition: This bold Etruscan style cocktail ring is a breathtaking masterpiece. Finely crafted from 14K yellow gold, this statement piece is adorned with impressive and me...Category
Mid-20th Century American Etruscan Revival Cocktail Rings
MaterialsAmethyst, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Sterling Silver 925 Boho Tassel Statement Amethyst Bead Beach NecklaceLocated in Lauderdale by the Sea, FLPerfect for summer or that evening beach rendezvous :) Chic boho summer necklace that has 5 strands of genuine round Amethyst beads a shell that has been hand decorated in sterling...Category
1990s American Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Sterling Silver
- Early Navajo Indian Sterling Silver Large Sandcast Cross Pendant for NecklaceLocated in Lauderdale by the Sea, FLOutstanding and large early Navajo Indian sandcast cross pendant from the estate of a collector of unusual Native American silver. The front contains warm natural patina, and is smoo...Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Sterling Silver Egg Yolk Baltic Amber Lilly Pendant Necklace Original 875 ChainLocated in Lauderdale by the Sea, FLWonderful vintage sterling silver Baltic "Egg Yolk" Amber pendant with the original 875 silver chain. According to the little historical that we have, the nec...Category
Vintage 1940s Russian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsAmber, Silver, Sterling Silver
- Mother of Pearl Stud and Cufflink SetLocated in Bay Harbor Islands, FLFine mother of pearl stud and cuff-link set. Metal Type: 14Kt YG Metal Weight: 10 GramsCategory
20th Century Cufflinks
MaterialsYellow Gold, 14k Gold
- Art Deco Etched Mother of Pearl CufflinksLocated in New York, NYArt Deco etched Mother of Pearl Cufflinks set in 14k yellow gold with ornate platinum borders. Lovely Art Deco patterns etched into the mothe...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cufflinks
MaterialsPearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
- Antique Art Deco Mother of Pearl and Diamond CufflinksLocated in Stamford, CTSculpted and simple, yet stunning, is this pair of double sided cufflinks from the late Victorian period. The central area of the pearl has been carved to a lower plane than has the ...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cufflinks
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold
- Art Deco Mosaic Cufflinks with Mother of Pearl and Onyx in Sterling SilverBy TateossianLocated in Fulham business exchange, LondonArt Deco Mosaic Cufflinks with Mother of Pearl and Onyx in Sterling Silver White mother of pearl and black onyx come together in a harmonious blend o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Cufflinks
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Precious Button Cufflink Stud Set with White Mother of Pearl and SapphiresBy TateossianLocated in Fulham business exchange, LondonPrecious Button cufflink stud set with white mother of pearl and sapphires A luxurious reinvention of the classic tailoring button cuffli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Cufflinks
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Precious Button Cufflink Stud Set with Black Mother of Pearl and RubiesBy TateossianLocated in Fulham business exchange, LondonPrecious Button cufflink stud set with black mother of pearl and rubies A luxurious reinvention of the classic tailoring button cufflink stud...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Cufflinks
MaterialsSterling Silver