Antique jewelry is jewelry made before 1900. There are a variety of styles from different periods. Some of these periods include Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Byzantine, and Edwardian. It is important to understand which type of jewelry you are looking at so you can find something that’s truly special. To begin, here are some tips to help you decide which type of jewelry is right for you.
Byzantine jewelry
Byzantine jewelry was produced in a number of ways. Its richly detailed designs were often set with multiple colored stones, including carnelian and lapis lazuli. Byzantine masters also learned how to highlight fine details in relief. Openwork, which was popular during the Roman Empire, was also popular during Byzantine times, and it became one of the most popular methods of decorating goldwork.
Byzantine jewelry included earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and body chains. Many pieces featured Christian iconography and the images of saints. Some jewelry styles were also influenced by the Byzantine period, including cameos and pendants. Various styles and materials of Byzantine jewelry have survived to the present day.
Byzantine jewelry is a popular style of jewelry today. The intricate designs and thick mountings of Byzantine jewelry are also in fashion today. The Byzantine chain, with its intricate rope-like texture, is another example of this type of jewelry. Byzantine goldsmiths were also responsible for the crescent-shaped earring. The era that saw Byzantine jewelry’s creation was also characterized by the rise of the “barbarians,” a group of semi-nomadic tribes that controlled various parts of Europe from 400 to 800 A.D. However, it is important to note that the barbarians were not uncivilized.
Byzantine jewelry has many similarities to jewelry produced during the early Middle Ages. While the Byzantine jewelry styles originated in ancient Greece, it has been influenced by many other cultures. For example, the Carolingian style originated in 742 AD, and it is also influenced by Roman and Byzantine jewelry styles.
Art Deco
If you’re looking to buy antique jewelry that is unique, you might want to consider buying pieces that date from the Art Deco period. This style features geometric patterns, clean lines, and modern designs. The style continues to be popular among vintage jewelry collectors. The movement began in the 1920s and lasted until 1939. It succeeded the Art Nouveau style, which was influenced by African art.
The term “Art Deco” is derived from the 1925 Paris World’s Fair, or “International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts.” It is an art movement characterized by consistent design elements. The jewelry that is considered “authentic” is typically created between 1920 and 1935. Many pieces from this era are antiques, while others are modern reproductions.
Purchasing a piece of genuine Art Deco jewelry may be difficult. Many brides worry that they may end up purchasing a piece that isn’t in sync with their wedding band’s style. However, this problem is easily solved if you know what to look for. Antique Art Deco jewelry will likely contain diamonds cut in a vintage style. The most common diamond cuts used in vintage jewelry include the Old European Cut diamond, antique cushion cut diamonds, and Asscher cut diamonds.
The style’s geometric patterns often nod to current fashion trends. Jewelry made during this time period was adorned with pendants and earrings. Many women wore their jewelry to complement their outfits. Bracelets were often paired with geometric diamond brooches. Sautoir necklaces were particularly popular during the Edwardian period. Coco Chanel wore one of these popular pieces.
Art Nouveau
Antique Art Nouveau jewelry is often made of glass, enamel, and soft gemstones. These pieces are rare and can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. But even pieces made by lesser-known artists can be worth a few thousand dollars. These pieces were made with exceptional care and are the perfect way to upgrade your style.
Jewelers of the Art Nouveau period were known for their innovative use of materials and techniques. They combined old and new methods to create beautiful pieces using extravagant colors and detail. During this time, enameling techniques were revived and pushed to their limit. Many jewelry makers used enamel to add color and detail. The technique was also used to create a three-dimensional illusion.
Many artists were involved in creating the new style. A number of Vienna-based artists contributed to the style. Others included Georg Jensen, a famous silver manufacturer. Henri Vever was also a famous Art Nouveau jeweler who exhibited his pieces at the Salon de l’Art Nouveau in Paris in 1900. One of his pieces, a diamond, enamel, and 18k yellow gold pendant brooch, sold for EUR19,500 on Artcurial. Other important Art Nouveau jewelers were Lucid Gallard, Eugene Feuill Tre, and Leopold Gautrait.
The Art Nouveau period was characterized by experimentation and creativity. Famous artists who influenced this period included the French artist Rene Lalique. Lalique incorporated new materials and techniques to make his jewelry. His early pieces were rather conventional and naturalistic, but as he grew more confident and incorporated fantasy into his pieces, his work began to take a different direction. By the early 1890s, he also began to experiment with enameling techniques.