Art Deco Jade & Silver Necklace

NWS 11-1390

~ What can exceed the Art Deco period for its designs? Architecture, jewelry, clothing, cars,... you name it, the geometric, well balanced designs are compelling. Motifs from this era are immediately recognizable, and, as Kenneth J. Lane said, nothing has ever surpassed this design era.

~ Let's start with the "chain" that has been made by hand for this necklace. Unlike anything else I've ever seen before, this one is made of linked triangles. Those beam-like rays that you see are cut outs, so if you hold the necklace up, you can see daylight through the design. Other elements, like little engraved swirls, complete the design with perfect symmetry. Each triangle is linked to the next with silvertone loops.

~ The centerpiece is a semi-oval of faux, carved jade. It reveals circles, swirls and ovals, carved  in high relief. The carved stone has been bezel-set into a collar of silver plated brass. Silver bars fan out beneath the green glass, in increasing and decreasing lengths, to form a double point. This was referred to as a "waterfall" design in 1925.

~ The necklace measures 18.75" long. The carved, pāte de verre measures 1.30" wide. The spring ring clasp may be a replacement, as it is marked "Germany", and I think this necklace was made in France (see research, below).

c. 1925, in excellent condition with some wear to the silver plating and light tarnish.

Research: See European Designer Jewelry, by Ginger Moro, p. 34, for the matching brooch which the author says is from France. Carved, faux jade is identical.

Price = $425.00