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Art Deco Egyptian Revival Brooch
Now put three marbles in your mouth and say that seven times while drinking a glass of water and juggling three bejeweled ensembles.
Which brings us quite logically to 1924 Paris and the house of Van Cleef & Arpels.
I digress. In the early 1920's Carter and Carnevon made great archaeological discovers ... not the least of which was the tomb of Tutankhamen. This ... as I'm sure you all know ... inspired the jewelers of the day to create pieces whose motifs were gleaned from an Egyptian archaeological past.
The array was dizzying. Bracelets and vanity cases and watches and pins decorated with such icons as Ibis and Lotus and Horus and Sphinxes and Scarabs and more. These were set with calibre-cut gemstones such as onyx and rubies and sapphires all placed within a pave set diamond background. Great workmanship. And here I thought I was the only good setter around. The results: Well ... I'll show you one and you tell me what you think.
In the lead of those jewelers who decided to prance headlong into the glimmering bejeweled archaeological rush was that moderately well reputed little old firm of Van Cleef & Arpels. The year: 1923. They began producing Egyptian inspired artifact after artifact. I digress in my digression. Many read my tidbits ... and many are jewelers themselves. By a show of hands ... how many of you have actually smiled at a customer over the counter and said: May I show you one of my artifacts?...without getting a lascivious grin in return of course.
Van Cleef & Arpels met with great success. Their striking juxtaposition of colors and exceptional workmanship put them in the forefront of the most sought after creations of Art Deco Jewelry.
Fortunately ... I have an example of such a piece. Ya wanna see?
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits...may I direct you to my home page at
And there ya have it. That's it for this week folks. Catch you all next week. Benjamin Mark
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