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.
Signed Antique French Art Deco Silver Plated Tazza or Table Centerpiece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed French Art Deco period tazza. In silver plate. Apparently marked for Durousseau & Reynaud of Lyon, France. Simply a fine French Art Deco form! Date: Early 20th Cent...
Silver Plate
Art Deco 835 Silver Bowl by Gebrüder Kühn, Germany, Early 20th Century
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Art Deco silver bowl crafted by the German silversmiths Gebrüder Kühn, executed in 835 silver during the early 20th century. The bowl presents a bold and sculptural geometric form c...
Silver
Art Deco Period Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Footed Bowl by Johan Rohde
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver footed bowl or compote. Designed by Johan Rohde for Georg Jensen. Model no. 17A Simply a wonderful bowl! Date: 1915 - 1930 Overall Condition: It is in ove...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver 5.75"X 3.25"X 2" International Silver Co Antique Cigarette Box
Located in Santa Monica, CA
International Silver Co Antique Cigarette BoxAll original with very minor dents or scratches, weighting 167.5 grams nternational Silver Co Antiqu...
Sterling Silver
$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
$389Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 2.66 in D 0.4 in
Stunning Solid Sterling Silver 1927 Gold Gilt Inside Cigarette Case Ng & Co
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Solid Sterling Silver The Northern Goldsmiths Newcastle upon tyne 1927 engine turned cigarette cas...
Sterling Silver
$1,700
W 5.71 in D 3.94 in L 9.45 in
Antique European Pheasant Bird Board Table Decoration solid 835 Silver 271gr
Located in SE
Antique European table pheasant in solid 835 Silver dating to ca. 1930s -1940s . Realistically modeled in the form of a Pheasant hen with fine and sharp details reproducing realisti...
Silver
$9,500Sale Price|63% Off
19th Century Bronze Ormolu Mounted Sevres Mantel Japy Freres Clock
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is A Rare Ormolu-Mounted Sevres Turquoise Ground Mantel Clock, Late 19th Century, Iron-Red 1245 to the Plaques, the movement stamped JAPY FRERES & ...
Gold, Bronze
$55,250Sale Price|35% Off
Exceptional Nautical Themed Silver Centerpiece by Buccellati
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Nautical Themed Silver Centerpiece by Buccellati A silver masterpiece depicting: putto, leaves, Neptune holding a trident, shell, and dolphins by master silversmiths Buc...
Silver
1915 Sterling Silver 3"X 2.25"X 1/2" Antique English Snuff & Pill Box
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique English Snuff & Pill Box All original with very minor dents or scratches, weighting 31.9 grams Vintage English Snuff or Pill Box, in excellent condition considering 100 y...
Sterling Silver
$9,530
H 10.44 in W 11.62 in L 21.93 in
Big and Heavy Sterling Silver Fruit, Flower Bowl, Basket, Hazorfim, Judaica
Located in Berlin, DE
Big and very heavy sterling silver fruit bowl, basket. Hazorfim. Beautiful decoration object.
Silver, Sterling Silver
Set of 4 Gianmaria Buccellati Sterling Silver Plates #21025
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 4 sterling silver plates by Gianmaria Buccellati. These small plates features a smooth polished finish with a globe design at the center of each plate. Measures approx 5 3/8...
Sterling Silver
$750Sale Price|50% Off
Rare Large French Bohemian Cranberry Glass Centerpiece Lidded Bowl
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is this Magnificent Large 1920's Bohemian Cranberry Glass Lidded Bowl. Beautifully done with Fine and Intricate Scrolling and with Outstanding Hand...
Crystal, Bronze
$262 / item
H 0.32 in W 3.15 in L 2.76 in
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small face bowl in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small face bowl in 925 sterling silver ERE Collection Measurements 8 x 7 x 0.8 cm Weight 23 g Reference ERE10 Small bowl - saucer part of a collection called ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Christofle Silver Plated Food Warmer / Tureen & Covered Dome
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver plated food warmer or tureen. By Christofle et Cie. Consisting of a two-part oval meat or fish warmer with scroll feet and ...
Silver Plate
$2,700Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 5.5 in W 4.5 in
4 Norwegian MCM Modernist Enamel Sterling Silver Candlesticks N.M.Thune Viking
By N.M. Thune
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare museum quality set of Four Norwegian Mid-Century Modernist Enameled Sterling Silver Candlesticks by N.M. Thune of Norway and dating to the 20th century. Each candlestick is adorned with magnificent enamel images with depictions of Norse Mythology and Viking imagery. The colors and design are mid-century magnificence. The very rare group of candlesticks...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Tiffany Art Deco Sterling Silver Tazza Cake Plater
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Tiffany Art Deco sterling silver footed cake plater or tazza, circa 1925. This is a lovely cake stand that is approximately 10-3/4" i...
Sterling Silver
French Art Deco Gilt Silver & Sodalite Chalice by Maurice Chéret of Paris
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This exceedingly beautiful liturgical chalice was made of .950 purity silver and has been set with pieces of sodalite. The chalice was crafted in th...
Silver, Gilt Metal
Silver Circular Shaped Salver
Located in London, GB
A sterling silver circular shaped salver, with applied gadroon mount, on four scroll bracket feet, 42.5cm in diameter, gross weight 67.5ozs, hallmarked Sheffield 1933, maker Stevenso...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Sterling Compote
By Georg Jensen
Located in Aspen, CO
While any can be described by weights (14.97 try ounces), and measures 6.5 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide, scientific data fails miserably to convey the artistic merits of this smal...
Sterling Silver