The dawn of the 1920’s brought an undeniable feeling of optimism and exuberance, in great part thanks to the end of the First World War. With the world forever changed by the war, this period held a unique tension between the old, conservative ways of life and a ‘roaring’ urge of social and cultural upheaval. This period didn’t pick back up the extravagant finery of the Edwardian Era. With women working through the war, preference for jewellery with more than one function (convertible jewellery), settings lowered to be more comfortable for working and the iconic style of Art Deco jewellery we know today.

The term “Art Deco” derives its name from the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, which took place in Paris in 1925. Art deco was a departure from the aesthetics that came before it, drawing inspiration from the Cubism and Fauvism movements, with more focus on rigid, clean lines and geometric shapes.