1930s Art Deco Bead Necklace - Hand Carved and Overlay Cut Early Plastic

This necklace has all the elements that are looked for in great early plastic Bakelite era jewellery.  First we have lots of different sized and shaped beads.  There are glass rounds as spacers and then beautiful cut shapes in coral peach casein or galilith - an early Plastic of the Bakelite era made from milk.   Then to add more detail and interest to this necklace there are coral coloured beads over layered with black and cut and pierced. Each of these beads has a series of cuts  and  carvings which give a tribal look to this vintage necklace.  The largest central carved bead is just about 1 inch long and it is 1.5 cms across with amazing carving whilst the smallest beads on this necklace are the tiny black glass spacers. This Art Deco bead necklace has been graduated throughout and skilfully rethreaded on modern Beadalon.  Fastening with a sterling silver bolt clasp and ring this necklace is in very good condition.  It measures approximately 18 inches in length including the clasp.      My guess is that this is a continental European piece - maybe French in origin dating from the early to mid 1930s.  It has style and is rare and beautiful.  This art deco period necklace would be a super addition to a collection of early plastics and bakelite jewelry and would appeal to anyone who collects interesting beads.  It would be equally at home as a treasured and wearable vintage necklace.

JEWELLERY DETAILS

Designer or Brand: No, this is a 'one off' hand carved item

Condition: Very Good

Decade:  1930s

Era: Vintage (1920’s - 1980’s)

Type: Bead Necklace

Material: Early Plastic Casein with sterling silver 

Colour: coral and black