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Glamorous Antique German Art Deco Brooch Earrings Set browse these categories for related items... All Items: Estate Jewelry: Costume: Rhinestone: Pre 1940: item # 723174 GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear 56 Calle Monte Aplanado, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone: 505.205.1404 Guest Book $170 (Free U.S. Priority Shipping & Gift-Wrap if Desired) |
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Between the two world wars, Weimar Germany was a hotbed of creativity. Their museums led the world in showcasing modern art, their cabarets were the raciest and the Bauhaus blazed trails in architecture and industrial design. Of course Hitler soon spoiled the party, but those innovative times are remembered in jewelry like this. Our remarkable German brooch and earrings set takes Art Deco style to extremes of inventiveness in terms of sculptural form, bold graphic patterning and even use of materials. The jewels are formed of aluminum! The gently cupped discs are brushed to a cool matte finish for the background, but polished to scintillating brightness where the stylized light rays appear -- and, in the center of each piece is a dome piled high with prismic diamond rhinestones. The Deco era idolized speed -- fast cars and planes -- and aluminum evokes that spirit superbly. It also allows for jewels to be quite large without much weight at all. It further had the benefit of being inexpensive, which was vital in those years of hardship imposed by Germany's burden of World War I reparation payments. Their economy was in shambles long before the Depression hit elsewhere. Jewels such as these -- which, with only artistry and time, transformed simple aluminum and glass into dazzlers -- capture a great deal of poignant history. Marked "Germany," they were clearly made for export to English-speaking markets that soon closed with Hitler's rise and conversion to a war economy. Since post-war products were designated as West or East German for many decades to come, the set can have been made only in the 1920s or early 1930s. The earring fasteners, being an experimental narrow form of clip, suggest a circa 1930 dating. Screw backs were typical of the 1920s and modern wide clips of the type we still see were introduced in 1934. Still with every rhinestone sparkling and in lovely condition overall, the brooch measures 2 inches round and the earrings 1.5 inches round. The only flaw I see is that the brooch mechanism revolves around the rivet, which has created slight surface wear at the back. When pinned on, of course it wouldn't move around, but you might want your jeweler to tighten the fastener. Provenance of these beauties is an estate in the Great Lakes area. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking! |
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