The Art Deco movement has been around for almost a hundred years and is seeing and increasing resurgence in popularity. Some high profile people such as the Duchess of Windsor and Sarah Jessica Parker, both collect this type of jewellery due to its ability to go with pretty much anything and also being very chic as well. Since the 1960’s and 1970’s, the appeal of art deco has increased to make it a major design style once again within the jewellery industry. You can purchase period antique jewellery readily available on the market and there are even modern day manufacturers of this elegant style of jewellery, which will also help keep the cost down.
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco is a term which was phrased for a style of design, which includes things such as;
- Jewellery
- Architecture
- Art
- Fashion
- Interior Design
- Industrial Design
Art deco is a style which is based on clean cut geometric shapes, with clearly defined lines. The phrase was first coined in 1965 well after the fact. It was named after the ‘Les Années 25’ exhibition which was subtitled Art Deco. The exhibition was celebrating the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was held in Paris, France. At the time the style was said to be the representative of elegance, modernity, glamour, style and also functionality. This followed on from the preceding style of Art Nouveau and was distinctly different from the asymmetrical organic curves of this style. Art Deco was like a breath of fresh air at the time. It embraced various different styles of art and was also heavily influenced by different ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and the Aztecs. The style started to die off during the 1930’s and leading up to World War Two, a major factor for this may have been the economic depression which hit much of the world at this time. This lead in turn, to much simpler and less ostentatious and complex designs being made, which were a lot more practical at the time.
Collecting Art Deco
Art Deco jewellery is highly collectible today and there are many places in which you can purchase genuine antique pieces, or you can go for a more modern piece of jewellery which is made in the art deco style. If you try going into your local antique dealer, you may be able to pick up something which catches your eye. Going to a local auction house which specialises in this type of item is also a good place to pick up a trinket or two. You may come across competition in the local dealers though so sometimes it may be hard to get a great bargain. By trawling through other auctions which do not specialise in this type of antique, you may be able to come across a bargain by doing a little legwork. There are also plenty of specialists who sell online and by doing a search n the internet you will be able to find a host of retailers who are fully accredited and have a wide and varied selection of both new and antique pieces. The benefit of going to a shop or buying online from an accredited dealer is that you can be sure you are getting exactly what you pay for. For the untrained eye it is easy to be fooled by some of the modern replication of antiques.
An Investment
As long as you are buying good quality art deco jewellery, then this should be looked at as an investment. If you are buying jewellery which is made of precious or semi-precious metal, always check for the hallmark of the maker. Also if there are any precious stones it may be best to get the item independently appraised by a specialist if you are looking to make a big money purchase. Some jewellery in this style though, you will find for very reasonable prices and the cost as well as the form make the jewellery also very practical for every day wear. If you are buying to invest then it is always best to consult a specialist as well as a reputable seller. Some people will buy purely for the aesthetic look of the goods, falling in love with them as soon as they see them. Either way if you are looking to purchase some art deco jewellery, you will be buying something which has a unique design and feel with a timeless style about it.
This article was written by Misty Angel on behalf of Kalmar Antiques. Kalmar Antiques offers some of the best deals on Art Nouveau jewellery available. They also offer famous branded watches like Omega watches. Misty is a keen history buff and social blogger who enjoys commenting on historical and social subjects.