Dazzling gems or exquisite craftsmanship are full of temptations, but what is more fascinating is often the story behind the jewelry. Every antique jewelry can be traced back to a period of time. You can feel the prosperity and decline at that time through it, and even know which families it once appeared in. If you collect an antique jewelry, you will have a period of time and a story. Therefore, rather than decorating the dreams of the world, jewelry records the story of time.
Strictly speaking, antique jewelry refers to jewelry from 5000 years ago to the middle of the 20th century before the end of World War II. However, handicrafts from the 1940s to the 1970s and 1980s can also fall into this category. Whether in the fashionable West or the ancient East, antique jewelry embodies the rich cultural heritage of human civilization with its precious materials, gorgeous colors, exquisite shapes and bright luster, and has heavy collection value.
Jewelry, like fashion, has a sense of the times and style. In addition to decorative art jewelry, which accounts for a high proportion in antique jewelry, antique jewelry can also list the following important periods according to the period:
1, 1880 French Charles Louis Napolé on Bonaparte period.
Also known as the Victorian era of Britain.
During this period, due to the territorial expansion of powerful countries, the absorption of foreign cultures also affected jewelry design. Jewelry style not only retains the romantic atmosphere, but also covers multiple cultures, such as New Renaissance style, naturalistic style, Greek style, Egyptian style, Etruscan style, Assyrian style, Indian style, Gypsy style and so on. In such a diversified era, colored gems (ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc. ) and diamonds are often designed as the main gems.
2.65438-0900 French Art Nouveau Movement.
At this time, naturalism prevailed, and jewelry works were mainly decorated and inlaid on the surface, and vines and curves of many plants were also used to create gorgeous lines of jewelry. This is a very short period, as short as even a few years, but it has a great influence on jewelry design styles all over the world. All kinds of gorgeous, complicated, smooth and curly lines and natural totems are symbolically extended into artistic treasures with dynamic beauty.
In these two periods, we can still find the shadow of natural pearls. This is almost invisible in modern jewelry.
3. 19 10 French corolla wreath period.
Also known as the Edwardian era of England.
In the long history of jewelry in Europe, the Edwardian era was the last jewelry period named after the British monarch. No era is as gorgeous, brilliant and colorful as the Edwardian era, which makes the Edwardian style a classic in the history of jewelry in just 30 years.
Different from the last Art Nouveau period, Edward's style embodies the elegance, nobility and gentleness of the king. However, the strong artistic atmosphere in the new art period has not been completely abandoned. Fortunately, the progress of technology and excellent materials make the new garland style more vivid and fluent, and it has developed into one of the most popular elements in jewelry design in 19 10.
At the same time, Edwardian jewels inherited the elegant styles of King George and Victorian era. A large number of precious metals such as diamonds and platinum are used, which is luxurious and exquisite. Incorporate the complicated lace edging style to show the gorgeous and meticulous court style. Wave-like dynamic and light modeling have the meaning of paying tribute to the aesthetics of the emerging bourgeoisie.
In the Edwardian era, nostalgia and retro became the mainstream, and craftsmen had a soft spot for monochrome, so jewelry in this period was often white or even colorless. The addition of platinum and the use of bows and garlands made the jewelry of this period low-key, luxurious and noble.
The decorative arts period from 4.65438 to 0925.
The most collectible decorative art (decorative art)
It originated from 1920 and prevailed from 1930 to 1940, pushing the "geometric simplicity style" to the peak. Its distinctive style is characterized by bright and strong color contrast and geometric line modeling representing mechanical aesthetics. The most representative is Cartier's geometric totem diamond bracelet, while others are Boucheron, Van Cleef & etc. Yabao, Mo Bosang, Tiffany & Company, etc. Still active in the jewelry world.
Because Mikimoto successfully cultivated real round pearls in 1905, many pearl materials were added to the selection of jewelry materials in that era.
Another feature of decorative art jewelry is that the materials are more diverse. Before19th century, most jewels were made of gold and silver. At the beginning of the 20th century, the discovery of platinum changed the way jewelry was displayed. Due to the color characteristics of platinum material, it can still show its color after being inlaid with diamonds or translucent gems, which makes it possible for jewelry to choose more unprecedented gems in material selection.
Another feature can be seen in many antique jewelry with decorative art style, that is, the spirit of integrating into foreign cultures, especially the Egyptian style has become the material chosen by various brands, which is related to the new archaeological discoveries at that time. The tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun was revealed to the world in 1922, and Egyptian-style jewelry suddenly became the source of inspiration for designers. Therefore, many exotic jewelry appeared in the works of this period.
"Antique jewelry has magic. It blooms in the prosperous river for a long time. When we wipe away the dust of history and feel its past glory, it also brings us the most beautiful enjoyment, both visually and emotionally. "