A byproduct of the transformative arts and crafts movement, Art Deco made its art world debut in the mid-1910s.
Like most art movements, the short-lived art style had an enormous influence on designers and consumers.
Fashion designers, industrial designers, and architects embraced the style and produced iconic Art Deco pieces. The most familiar examples include the renowned Tiffany lamps, Erte paintings, and the historic Chrysler and Empire State buildings in NYC.
Painting, interior decorating, and architecture weren’t the only creative industries to embrace Art Deco. The influential style also had an enormous impact on jewelry design.
It was long before old Hollywood had its love affair with Art Deco jewelry in the roaring 20s!
Learn more about the fascinating history behind your favorite Art Deco pieces.
Art Deco Designers to Know
If you want to get into art deco jewelry, start with the era’s most influential designers.
Art Deco Icons include the following names:
- Tiffany & Co
- The Cartier Company
- James Emmot Caldwell
- Mario Buccellati
- Bailey, Banks, and Biddle
Do any of those designers sound familiar?
One of the most recognizable names on this list is, arguably, the Tiffany & Co.
The Tiffany & Co Era
Tiffany & Co. was already a big player in the jewelry industry before Art Deco hit the scene.
The family name even influenced the interior design world when Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of the founder, designed the iconic glass Tiffany lamps.
Interlocking geometric pieces often define Tiffany’s antique Art Deco pieces.
One of the most popular pieces with collectors is Tiffany’s Art Deco bracelets. These jewel-encrusted bracelets still fetch a high price at Christie’s auction house.
Other popular Tiffany’s pieces include Art Deco drop pendants, luxury women’s watches, jeweled cigarette boxes, and yellow diamond rings.
Cartier’s Art Deco Jewelry
The second-most recognizable jeweler of the Art Deco period is the luxurious Cartier Company.
Like Tiffany & Co., Cartier had already established itself as a big name among jewelers and luxury watchmakers.
The company began to attract more attention to its Art Deco Rings, with such notable celebrity fans as Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot.
Cartier’s Art Deco influence spread even further when the company was appointed the official jeweler to several royal families across the globe.
How to Find Antique Art Deco Pieces
A lot of fantastic jewelry was produced during the Art Deco period.
The years after Art Deco, collectors would score pieces at collectors’ conventions, antique dealers, and auction houses.
Today, the internet has made it even easier to find Art Deco engagement rings, necklaces, watches, earrings, and bracelets.
Antique shops from around the world list their Art Deco pieces for sale online, and collectors participate in live auctions from the comfort of their homes.
eBay has also become a popular platform for buying and selling antique jewelry.
Keep a catalog of pieces along with associated values too. It never hurts to get a professional appraisal either.
Discover the Magic of Art Deco
Art Deco left an indelible mark on history and culture. Learn even more about this exciting period by growing your collection of Art Deco jewelry.
Collecting antique jewelry is just one way to switch up your routine. Discover more tips, hobbies, and ideas to enrich your life!