Art Deco Cufflinks and You
The Art Deco Movement may have been the fad in the early decades of Twentieth Century but it has prevailed up until now. A purely decorative movement, it has evolved from its Grecian and Roman roots to the simplicity of the Modern Movement of the 50s. It exudes Old World elegance and sophistication. With the end of the First World War came progress. At this appropriate time that the Art Deco Movement was established. Though widely known as an American movement, it was actually first introduced in the 1925 Paris France World Fair. It represents the optimism and liberalism of the Flapper Era and the idealism of the post-Depression Era.
Elements prevalent to this kind of movement are the geometric designs derived from the Old World art found in Greece, Rome and Egypt, the tapered lines and curves as those found in Chrysler Building as a tribute to one of its roots, the Art Nouveau, not to mention the bright colours that come with the designs. The use of various gemstones such as rubies, sapphires and mother of pearl add to the glamour and eclecticism of the era. The materials used for this movement is also diverse, ranging from plastic, metals and leather. Figural elements are also common for this exemplifies the liberation of women from the strict norms of the previous century. Other designs vary from the eclectic to the more classic ones. Inspirations in the latter years have come not only from the Old World but also from the Far East like the countries of Japan and China. Elements of the Native Americans can also be classified as one of the deluxe jewellery of the time.
One of the movers of the era is the French jeweller Lalique and Rousseau. They are associated with the glass jewellery common in the 1920s, inspired by the Japanese and Chinese. A revival of the movement happened in the mid-century but with subtler changes.
Wearing an art deco cufflink reflect the simple grandeur of the Roaring Twenties. Art deco cufflinks are reminiscent of that time when progress was imminent and norms are broken. An antique art deco cufflink has a dramatic feel to it. Geometric designs made of semiprecious to precious gems are common. The most common ones are made of gold but there silver art deco cufflinks too. Radiating stars and sunbursts are common designs engraved in colourful enamel art deco cufflinks exude royalty. Art deco cufflinks with dramatic marquise shapes and diamonds are elegant representations of the period. Another example of art deco cufflinks is the dramatic mixture of gold and with a bold-coloured gemstone such as a tourmaline. There are those that combined the elements of Art Nouveau and Old world wherein concentric circles border leaves. As most cufflinks of the period, outmost care must be used with these cufflinks.
