About Animal Themed Jewelry
Being widely used in the ancient times, historically animal motifs in jewelry lost their popularity by the end of the 17th century. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that it started to make a come back. In the rise of urbanization, the natural world became a compelling alternative for designers. Among the most popular animal motifs during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods were birds and butterflies, dogs, serpents, and insects. These were often adorned with diamonds or pearls, creating miniature sculptures.
During the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements jewelry designers turned away from mass-produced items. They believed that hands-on approach would not only improve the quality of the craftsmanship but also add depth and character to their designs. For these artisans animal and especially insects were a popular source of inspiration. Their shimmering wings and vibrant bodies inspired intricate enamel work, which was a highly popular technique at the time. Rene Lalique (1860-1945) was especially renowned for his magical, sculptural creations.
The 1940s, 50s, and 60s were a golden age for animal-themed jewelry. Artists crafted bejeweled and enameled animal pieces to satisfy the public's growing demand for these whimsical designs. During this period, iconic animal motifs emerged, such as the Chaumet bee, the Cartier panther, and the Bulgari serpent.
Other notable jewelers of the era were Seamen Schepps and the world-renowned Suzanne Belperron. Both were captivated by the natural world and became famous for their unique interpretations of animal themes. One of Belperron's standout pieces from this period is a starfish brooch from around 1939, made of chalcedony, pearls, and diamonds.
In the modern animal jewelry designers are exploring a wide range of styles. Some find inspiration in ancient Egyptian designs while others incorporate actual animal parts into their work. In short, there's animal-themed jewelry to suit every taste, whether you prefer modern designs or pieces with a classic, historical feel.
About Estate Jewelry
Buying jewelry online can be challenging. The quality of the making has not got better over the time while the design is getting more and more generic. Add ever rising prices and you could end up with not finding anything suitable. To purchase a high-quality jewelry piece for an obtainable price consider buying estate items.
• Quality vs Quantity
Estate pieces mostly belong to the era when jewels were handmade and not mass produced. There were simply less jewelry makers at that time and they cared about their reputation. Opposed to the current fast fashion approach, life pace was in general slower. That allowed makers to take more time to craft a truly quality piece.
• Fair Price vs Overpriced
Buying designer pieces aka signed pieces we pay not only for an item itself. The brand advertising campaigns and all the buzz the name is creating is in the cost. Prices for estate jewelry form differently and mostly depend on the cost paid by a seller. A pre-owned Bulgari ring and a brand-new Bulgari piece have a distinct price difference. Ask your local jewelry store about the retail price of the desired piece and you’d be pleasantly surprised.
• True Value vs Seasonal Rush
Pre-owned jewelry retains its value. Over the time it gets rare
and more expensive. Think purchasing a new car that loses its value right after you left your dealer versus buying a vintage vehicle.
At Nadine Krakov Collection we love all things beauty and high-quality. Each of our estate jewelry pieces is in excellent condition. We preserve the history and the greatest styles of the past so our clients can enjoy it at the fullest.
