What Would Lady Mary Crawley Wear?

Antique 1920's Art Deco Sautoir

So I am totally hooked on Downton Abbey. Are you? The story line is incredible, but the draw for me is also the settings and the fashions. Lady Mary was wearing a long sautoir (or necklace) very similar to this one.

Antique 1920's Rose Dress Clip

For spring, maybe she would choose to wear this lovely rose dress clip. A dress clip makes the perfect accessory for a spring dress or perhaps a spring hat. 

Antique 1920s Art Deco Ring 

I am sure that she would love a beautiful ring for spring as well! This ring, being a "costume" ring from the 1920s, may have been "beneath" her standards. However, this beauty is perfect for anyone on a budget. It is truly from the 1920s and can give you the Downton Abbey look for less.

For more true Art Deco jewelry, please visit my shop.

Wicked Darling

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The Color Purple....Antique and Vintage Jewelry

Antique Victorian Purple Glass Pin Etruscan Revival C1860s

The color purple is so magnificent! You either love it or hate it. I happen to love it! Purple has long been thought of as a sign of royalty and wealth. The saying "born to the purple", refers to someone who was born into royalty. In ancient times, purple dyes were often more expensive than gold! Purple also is thought of as a mystic color. 

It is said that if you surround yourself with the color purple, you will have peace of mind. Maybe I need to make a trip to the hardware store for some paint! Purple is a combination of red and blue. Warm and cool colors. It is perfect to wear in any season! So being in a purple kind of mood today...I am showing off some of my purple antique and vintage jewelry. 

Gorgeous Purple Art Deco Era Czech Glass Earrings Vintage 1920s

Beautiful Art Deco Purple Rhinestone Ring Uncas Vintage 1920s

Vintage Purple Celluloid Button Earrings C1930

Just wanted to say that these purple celluloid earrings remind me of purple Chiclets gum! Don't they? :) I hope that you have enjoyed today's post. 

For a 10% discount on anything purple in my shop, Wicked Darling, just use the coupon code: BRN2PURPLE

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Dazzle Them With Deco...Vintage Art Deco Jewelry

1930s Vintage Art Deco Rhinestone Dress Clip

I absolutely love the Art Deco era! The 1920s into the 1930s. When you hear the words "Art Deco", most people think of bold color, geometric shapes and very clean lines. That is certainly one aspect of this era, but it was actually a very evolving style. Just after WWI, there was a shift in women's mindset. Women were looking for more freedom and rights, styles were changing along with the mood of the times.

Back of the Art Deco Rhinestone Dress Clip

Styles were blending from the Edwardian style into the new Art Deco style. If you watch Downton Abbey, you can follow this style change. Hemlines are becoming shorter as well as women's hairstyles. In the beginning of the Art Deco era, you see jewelry that has a lot of filigree. Lacy settings. A shift in materials to platinum, silver, and white gold. Brightly colored stones.

1920s Art Deco Brooch

With this brooch you can still see the influence of the Edwardian era. The filigree setting has floral and geometric patterns. The beginnings of Art Deco.

1920s Art Deco Micro Beaded Clutch Purse

With this Art Deco purse, you can see the geometric patterns becoming more prevalent. Notice the geometric shapes at the bottom of the purse. The transition into what most people know as Art Deco design, is starting to emerge. Bright colors and geometric patterns.

Late 1920s into 1930s Art Deco Brooch

With this brooch you get the full Art Deco style that most people think of for that era. Clear color stones. Bold geometric designs. Classic Art Deco!

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Man's Ring

Again. Straight on Art Deco style seen in this ring. The bold design continued into the early 1940s, but began to emerge into another style known as Art Moderne. Art Moderne still had the clean bold lines of the Art Deco era, but with added elements of swirls and curls. Smooth, shiny, high polished surfaces and gemstones. 

 

 

Styles in fashion and jewelry are ever evolving. When I think of The Art Deco era, silent movies stars, Clara Bow and  Louise Brooks come to mind. Art Moderne...I think of Joan Crawford and Gloria Swanson...or Betty Davis. When dating vintage jewelry, there are not year to year timetables, but more of decade to decade timelines. A guide if you will. Because jewelry and fashion, just like real life, is ever evolving and blending into the future.

For more Art Deco jewelry, take a peek into my shop, Wicked Darling.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime...Vintage Art Deco Coin Holder

Vintage Art Deco Coin Holder C1930s

Brother, (or sister) can you spare a dime? Why yes I can! I even have a nickel and a quarter! This is one of my latest acquisitions. (Sorry there is no clickable link on this one. I have not listed it in my shop yet.) What we have here is a vintage Art Deco coin holder. It dates to the late 1920s to mid 1930s. This is like a compact that holds coins instead of powder. Back in the day, you could do quite a bit with 40 cents! As my Dad used to say..."When I was a kid, we could go to see a movie for a quarter and stay all day!" Even when I was a child you could buy a "coke and a pack of nabs" for 40 cents! 

(To translate that last sentence: I am from the deep south and we call every soda a coke whether it be a Coke, Pepsi or Sprite. Nabs are the six pack of cheese crackers that you buy in a convenience store.)  

By the way...I am proud to be a southerner!

You open the compact and tah dah...there are your coins! This coin holder is silver plated. There is a ring at the clasp, that allows you to wear it on your finger or a chain. This would allow a woman to have a little money with her, without having to carry a purse.

During the Victorian era, a piece like this would have been worn on a chain attached to a chatelaine. Chatelaines were worn around the waist like a belt. There would be a series of chains attached to the belt. These chains would dangle from the belt and hold items that were useful. Items such as a coin purse, scissors, thimble, needle holder and toothpick. Things that a women would use daily.

I just love the hammered texture on this piece! It is the same front and back. This would be fabulous worn on a long heavy duty ribbon. What a statement piece!!!

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this unique piece of vintage fashion. If you are interested in purchasing this piece or need more information on it, you can contact me through my shop, Wicked Darling, Even though I have not listed this coin holder yet, I have lots of beautiful antique and vintage jewelry to choose from.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Making a Cameo Appearance...Antique and Vintage Cameos

Vintage 1940s Coro Cameo Locket Holds 4 Photos

I love cameos! Cameo jewelry has been made and worn since ancient times. You can find cameos in just about every color and style that you can think of. Cameos are produced using many different materials. Some are hand carved out of shell, lava, or stones such as agates. They can come in the form of molded glass or wood. In the mid 19th century we began to see cameos made from early forms of plastic such as vulcanite and gutta percha. These early forms of plastics paved the way for easier mass production, even if on a smaller scale. A few years later, celluloid and bakelite became very popular materials for producing cameos. Today there are untold amounts of resins, plastics and other materials used in making cameo jewelry.

Vintage 1930s Hand Carved Shell Cameo Pendant

When you think of cameos, most often the hand carved shell cameo comes to mind. Most hand carved cameos, whether they be shell or stone, generally come from Italy where the tradition of carving cameos has been passed down for centuries. You will find cameos from this region, true masterpieces, still being produced today.

Antique Victorian Hand Carved Hardstone Cameo Necklace C1870s

This is an example of a Victorian hand carved agate or hardstone cameo. The black agate would be carved in such a way that it would expose the white layer of agate beneath to form the cameo. This cameo is set in a beautiful gold filled setting that makes it as wearable today as it was 140 years ago.

Vintage 1920s Celluloid Habille Cameo

Here we have a 1920s Art Deco celluloid Habille cameo. Habille cameo is French, meaning "dressed cameo"...dressed in this case being the added rhinestone earring and necklace. In some cases it is difficult to date a cameo. The setting and materials used will help in dating a piece.The style or face of the actual cameo, will offer up some clues to it's age as well...as they sometimes depict popular fashions of the times in which they were created...hairstyles, etc.

1860s Antique Victorian Early Plastic Cameo

This cameo is unusual, in the fact that it was made to look like lava, but is actually an early form of plastic. I am honestly stumped as to what type of material it is. I have never run across this before, but I am sure that someone out there has. Just a beautiful antique piece and a lovely classic  cameo pin.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing these cameos. These are just a few that I have listed in my shop, Wicked Darling. Come by and take a peek!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

Things To Come....

Antique Art Nouveau Peridot and Pearl Pin

Finding pieces to offer in my shop is always exciting! I just wanted to show you a few of the antique and vintage treasures that I will be adding to my shop, Wicked Darling, very soon. I am doing the last bit of testing and research on them before I list them. Hope that you will enjoy the sneak peek!

Vintage Art Deco Camphor Glass Pendant With Diamond

Antique Arts and Crafts Movement Pin

Small Antique Victorian Hoop Earrings

I have a large selection of antique and vintage jewelry listed at Wicked Darling. Would love for you to stop by and take a look! For free shipping (within the U.S.) on your purchase use coupon code: WickedDarlingFS

Thanks for stopping by my blog!