Many different jewelry designs have shaped the way that people live. One of the most notable has been the creation of Art Deco jewelry. You'll find a wide variety of art deco pieces available for sale online, including rings, earrings, necklaces and watches.
The Art Deco Movement
Art Deco reached every corner of the globe during its heyday and still manages to be popular even in modern times. It had a simple beginning for such a dramatic movement. It began when people were entrenched in the troubles of World War 1. After the First World War, people were ready for a change in style. The economic downturn and pressures of social life ushered in a new mood for a precise and orderly look. Art Deco was a style popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The term Art Deco was coined after an exposition of modern and industrial art that was held in Paris in 1925. It’s modern and streamlined design added tasteful elegance to the time period at hand. Art Deco went hand in hand with jazz music, the age of machinery, and the newfound Flapper movement.
The hottest designers of the time included Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Their influences ranged from all over the world, including Africa, Egypt, and the Orient. They also leaned on the art styling of futurism and cubism. But the real influence on Art Deco jewelry from the 1920-1930’s period was geometry and the precise use of circles, rectangles, triangles, and squares. Another notable designer from this period was Rene Lalique, who used glass jewelry to create romanticized designs from nature. Another iconic designer of the time was Jean Dunand from Switzerland. He used a variety of non-western styles and the majority of his pieces employed pieces of silver lacquered with black and red. Dunand’s earrings, bracelets, and brooches used very strong geometric shapes with very strong motifs such as zigzagging and superimposed lines. Designer Raymond Templier was from a long line of Paris jewelers. He used bold designs with bright diamonds against dark platinum for a very geometric, sleek look. His use of precious white metals paired with dark stones made for stunning pieces. Louis Cartier took the Cartier firm to new heights during the Art Deco period. His fascination for exotic motifs brought forth splendor such as gold and enamel bangles.
As you can see, the motifs of Art Deco jewelry ranged from the subtle to the extravagant. Many different materials were used in production of Art Deco jewelry, including pearls, chrome, steel, plastic, and rubies. The new luxury metal was platinum, and it was often paired with stones such as coral, onyx, and jade for a dramatic new look. The use of costume jewelry became more frequent with bold and outrageous designs and styles. It included elegant pieces as well as absurd costume jewelry. The use of people and animals was rampant in the 20’s and 30’s. Designers used anything from baby deer to plastic and playful Scotty dogs. Flowers were used in every combination they could think of; they sprouted off of metal and silver brooches, their paste petals elegantly sparkling. Even though many design movements have had deep roots in politics or philosophy, the Art Deco movement was purely decorative.
Art Deco began to decline in popularity during the 1940’s because it was seen as a false sense of luxury and was considered gaudy, but had a comeback in the 1960’s. When graphic design began to come out in the 1980’s, Art Deco experienced another comeback. It also led to the influence of other design movements such as Pop Art and Memphis. Examples of Art Deco jewelry can still be found in most countries. Many examples of Art Deco architecture can also still be found all over the globe. This design style has proven over and over that it is not going anywhere. It is established as one of the most notable jewelry movements of all time. Art Deco will be around for many years to come, with its bold and bright patterning and whimsical use of patterns, people, and animals.
You can find many vintage pieces at secondhand stores, antique shops, and even on the internet. We've managed to find a few pieces that will be of interest to you - check out this selection of art deco jewelry. You'll can find a fabulous art deco engagement ring, a classic vintage watch, a beautiful pair of art deco earrings, or even costume jewelry.
Art Deco is a fabulous style to collect, as its value will not diminish over time because of its propensity to come back into style every few decades. Plus, it can be matched to almost any clothing ensemble for either an elegant, understated look or you can use the bright costume jewelry of the time for a flamboyant and fun fashion.