A geometric formal idiom reminiscent of Cubism and the aesthetic of the machine, colored plastic and chrome are synonymous with art deco costume jewelry, which was widespread throughout the 1920s and '30s Europe. Hitherto classified by specialists in the field as 'French Jewelry', these objects were in fact created in the Chain and Jewelry factory founded in 1873 by Jakob Bengel in Idar-Oberstein. The Bengel production from 1928 until 1936 is distinguished by extraordinary innovation and distinctive individuality surpassing anything comparable from other contemporaneous makers. Jakob Bengel, who was Ernst Hartenberger's son-in-law, also possesses the business acumen to market and distribute his wares worldwide. More than 250 pieces of jewelry are shown and described in the present book. Moreover, this monograph is the first in-depth study of the subject, drawing extensively on the Bengel pattern books from 1924 to 1936. The more than 20,000 drawings in color reproduced in them are invaluable sources for understanding designers and design practice.
In ten chapters, each comprising five years, this book illustrates and discusses the most important trends in fashion and costume jewelry between 1920 and 1970 with the help of over 500 illustrations. All pieces of jewelry presented come from private collections and are shown here for the first time. The first publication to demonstrate the connection between fashion and costume jewelry, this encyclopedic volume is a must for anyone with an interest in jewelry or fashion.
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