1/ Platinum & Diamond Lattice work Earrings Circa 1915
With the start of the Edwardian jewelry period the Twentieth Century, did not bring with it the expected changes and innovations in social, political and artistic life that many people of this antique period had anticipated. The influence of the Nineteenth Century stretched right the way through for over a decade; and it was not until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, and the Russian Revolution some four years later that Europe & America finally put the old century behind them.
2/ Platinum, Sapphire & Diamond Feather Brooch set 'en tremblant' Circa 1915
The first part of the 1900's saw the growth and decline of both the vintage Art Nouveau Jewelry and jewelry from the Arts & Crafts Movement. Antique revivalist jewelry by the Giuliano sons Carlo and Arthur was produced until about 1914, and Faberge continued his refined guilloche enamel vintage productions. Here at Beverley R Jewelry we have a selection of fine Art Nouveau jewelry which is not only of high quality to grace any collection, but also very wearable, and would look just as good with jeans and a light blouse, as with a smart business suit or evening dress.
3/ Platinum, Natural Pearl & Diamond, Sautoir Tassel. Circa 1915
The early 1900's was also a time when many famous Antique Jewelry Houses started. In the Estate Jewelry of this period the 'garland style' became very popular, and Louis Cartier became its master consulting some of the original 18th Century pattern books to incorporate into his designs. He also incorporated, laurel wreaths, bows, knots, tassels and lace motifs into his antique jewelry. And his royal, aristocratic and above all rich clientele on both sides of the Atlantic wore his delicate, articulate and light creations of fine estate jewelry with enthusiasm. Here at Beverley R Jewelry we have a selection of not just Cartier vintage jewelry, but many other signed pieces, which set our customers apart.
4/ Platinum on Gold, Diamond drop Necklace. Circa 1910
The leaders of haute couture in Paris at this time period were the Worth Brothers who dressed the most fashionable women in delicate softly colored silks of lilac, pink, mauve and blue. These were enhanced by Antique Jewelry of Pearl and Diamond corsages of elaborate openwork lattice design, together with long sautoirs, which perfectly complimented the serpentine lines of these dresses.
5/ Gold & Natural Pearl, decorative Guard chain for watch Circa 1900
Also around 1910 the color combination of black and white came into fashion, and that was also reflected in the Vintage jewelry of this period. Diamond and Onyx and occasionally black enamel antique jewelry became the craze of the moment, together with estate diamond jewelry applied or pinned to black ribbons of silk or velvet collars. Again at Beverley R Jewelry we have a large selection of lattice work pieces and onyx and diamond antique pieces waiting for that special some one.
6/ Platinum & Diamond Negligee/Lavaliere Pendant Circa 1915
It was also a time period when tassels and aigrettes became the rage and colored gemstones began to re-emerge in the creation of many famous antique jewelry houses. Cartier became the master of bold chromatic creations, combining many gemstones with faceted rock crystal. Also vintage jewelry from this period was becoming much more linear, with an emphasis shifting to straight vertical lines. Short necklaces and 'dog collars' gave way to long chains and sautoirs.
7/ Platinum, Diamond & Precious Topaz Pendant Circa 1900
Although clad with antique pearls and diamonds, Edwardian women never fell into the trap of ostentation like their Victorian forbears, with antique novelty and sporting jewelry being worn as day wear. Bar brooches and lucky charms were still produced, but the true novelties in estate jewelry from this period were motorcar and airplane brooches; jewels of yachting inspiration. And Amethysts and Peridot were some of the most popular colored gemstones used.
8/ Platinum, Gold & Natural Pearl Pendant signed Falize Circa 1900
The outbreak of the First World War meant life changed over night; and antique jewelry was deprived of precious metals gold and platinum both became scarce and it was illegal to trade in it. The antique jewelers in the early 1900's had been experimenting with platinum. They had always found that to bring out the brightness and adamantine luster of diamonds it was more conducive to set them in a white metal; so you had antique pieces of jewelry being made with a gold frame containing a silver top to set the diamonds in. The problem the antique jewelers found was that over a time silver oxidized giving a silvery matt charcoal color especially if it was splashed with perfumes; however they found platinum did not oxidize, and when diamonds were set in the antique jewelry pieces with platinum tops they always had a clean look to them. Along with the ban on trading in platinum it was at this time period very expensive to refine and so was used very sparingly, and it was not until the 1920's when the ban had been lifted and the refining process improved that complete pieces were made of platinum.
9/ Platinum, Sapphire & Diamond Bracelet signed Cartier Circa 1920
At Beverley R Antique and Fine Jewelry here in downtown Chicago we carry high quality, unique, one of a kind jewelry pieces, which combine style and flair with a chicness and wearability from the early 1800's thru to the 1950's. It is antique jewelry of distinction, which will make you feel good every time you wear it, and set you apart from the crowd.