Jakob Bengel Art Deco Galalith Chrome Necklace Earrings
Directory: Archives: Estate Jewelry: Pre 1940: Item # 653211
Vintage Art Deco Bauhaus style demi-parure in chrome, the early plastic Galalith, and so-called "Peking glass" beads simulating jade, by the German maker Jakob Bengel. This set dates from the early 1930s. The wrapped chrome elements are the same as those in a necklace pictured on page 162 of the Jakob Bengel monograph by Christianne Weber.
The large pale yellow and green marbled beads are Galalith, which is an early plastic similar to Bakelite, which was used primarily in Europe. The Weber book provides extensive documentation of the use of Galalith in Bengel jewelry. The smaller green beads are Peking glass made to simulate jade. The screwback earrings have glass cabochon stones which match the glass beads in the necklace. All metal is silvertone chrome finished. The necklace elements are strung on a silvertone metal cable. The clasp is a European screw barrel form. An excellent and rarely seen German Deco set.
The necklace is 18 1/4 inches long by 3/4 inch wide. The Galalith beads are 18 millimeters wide and the glass beads are 10 millimeters wide. The earrings are 1 3/8 inches long. All pieces are in excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
