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.
Pair of Art-Deco Heavy French Silver on Brass & Crystal Modernistic Candlesticks
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
A striking pair of modernist Art Deco candlesticks, featuring sleek chromed columns rising from faceted crystal bases, creating a refined interplay of light and reflection. The g...
Silver, Brass
$5,950
H 20.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
Pair of Elkington & Co Neoclassical Revival Silver Plated Five-Light Candelabra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare pair of Victorian Neoclassical Revival silver plated candelabra by Elkington & Co. Each candelabrum has a fluted column that rests on three paw feet that also support anthemi...
Silver Plate
$603Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.63 in W 2.64 in D 2.64 in
Pair of Lovely Queen Elizabeth ii Sterling Silver Candlesticks, Birmingham, 1972
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Elizabeth II 1972 Sterling silver candlesticks A nice decorative pair, Birmingham made and very elegant ...
Sterling Silver
George III Sterling Silver Chamber Stick
By Henry Chawner
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A wonderful George III period chamber stick in sterling silver by Henry Chawner of London. An elegant scrolled handle is mounted to an octagonal base underneath a column with reeded ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$199 / item
King Baby Skull Brass Alloy Candle Holder
By King Baby
Located in Southampton, PA
The King Baby “Skull” candle holder is made of brass alloy and weighs 489.5 grams, measuring 4” in length and 2.50” in width. The candle holder is offere...
Brass
$19,500 / set
H 7.25 in W 8.88 in D 4.88 in
Pair of Georg Jensen Art Deco 537 C Sterling Silver Candelabra by Harald Nielsen
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of sterling silver candelabra. By Georg Jensen. In sterling silver. Model No. 537 C. Designed by Harald Nielsen. Simply a stunning pair of Jensen candelabra...
Sterling Silver
$1,950 / set
H 6.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Pair of Silver Plate Fluted Candlesticks by Robert A.M. Stern for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of postmodern silver-plated candlesticks. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern for Swid Powell. In the form of stout, fluted columns with broad flat bobeches. Swid Powell w...
Silver Plate
$1,500 / set
H 12.25 in W 6 in D 4.25 in
Set of 4 Tall Matched Regency Style Silver Plated Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 matching silver plated candlesticks. In the Regency style. Having an oval form with shaped candlecups, fluted sides, and a stepped base. Each has a felt padded b...
Silver Plate
$5,950 / set
H 9.63 in Dm 4.63 in
4 Spritzer & Fuhrmann Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine set of 4 tall Mid-Century Modern candlesticks. In sterling silver. Likely designed for Spritzer & Fuhrmann. The set comprising of 4 cement-loaded tall candlesticks...
Sterling Silver
$2,150
H 4.75 in W 5.5 in L 9 in
English Sterling Silver Crystal Inkstand "George Richards & Edward Brown" 1862
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Description: George John Richards & Edward Charles Brown English Sterling Silver Inkstand, 1862. Candle holder, twin crystal inkwells with silver mounts. Richards and Brown Lond...
Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver
19th-Century European Silver Hanukkah Menorah
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Description: This is a 19th-century silver Hanukkah menorah from Europe, showcasing a beautifully engraved Star of David at its center. Below the star are the Tablets of the Law, fla...
Silver
$1,243
H 9.62 in W 4.62 in L 4.62 in
Tiffany & Co Makers Sterling Silver 1947-1956 Moore Candlestick #18476
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co Makers Sterling Silver 1947-1956 Moore Candlestick This gorgeous candlestick by amazing designer Tiffany & Co was meticulously crafted from sterling silver in the beaut...
Sterling Silver
Designed Yemenite Israel Handmade Sterling Silver Menorah for Hanukkah
Located in Great Neck, NY
A beautiful piece to celebrate the important holiday of Hanukkah with. This menorah is all handmade from Sterling Silver stamped .925, in Israel by a yemenite artisans with filigree ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 3.55 in W 6.89 in
A Pair Art Deco Candelabra Sterling Silver Hallmarked Candleholders Spain 1935
Located in OVIEDO, AS
A beautiful original Art Deco Pair sterling silver candlesticks two-arm made of pure silver fineness 910. Length 17cm, dimensions of the base 10 X 7cm and height 9cm. Total weight...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Germany Sterling Silver Candlestick Holder #18880
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver candlestick holder by Tiffany & Co. Beautiful classic octagonal shaped candlestick in Art Deco style, circa 1920. Does not include Tiffany box or pouch. Measures ap...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Art Deco German Silver Candelabras
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This pair of three light candelabras are made from 800 purity German silver and date to the first half of the 20th Century. The pair sit on round bases and have columnar shafts from ...
Silver
Art Deco Gorham Sterling Silver Candlesticks, Set of 4
By Gorham
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Set of 4 sterling silver cement loaded candlesticks designed by American manufacturing company Gorham in 1920's. Meas...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 9.5 in W 4.5 in D 3.25 in
Pair Art Deco Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Modernist Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful pair of Reed & Barton candlesticks. In the Modernist pattern with a hand hammered finish. This pair of American Deco candlesticks feature candle cups and bobeches that ...
Sterling Silver
Christofle Deco design Candelabra Candlesticks, France C.1980.
By Christofle
Located in Toronto, ON
Pair of Christofle art deco design silver plate candelabra candlesticks, France C.1980. The two light candelabra, a `Folio’ streamlined ribbed design. Full Christofle marks to base. ...
Shreve Candelabra - Pair of Modern 2-Light - American Sterling Silver - C 1920
By Shreve & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Modern sterling silver 2-light candelabra. Made by Shreve & Co. in San Francisco, ca. 1920. Baluster stem with two crossed over branches. Rests on dome foot. The stem is encircled with vertical...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver-mounted, controlled bubbles crystal candlesticks, Norway, 1920's-1930's; over 2 1/2" high x @2" diameter. Excellent cfondition.
Sterling Silver