by Amanda Applebyinfo@amandaappleby.comCufflinks During The Art Deco Period
From the Roaring Twenties through to the depressing thirties, the Art Deco period spanned a turbulent time, and it influenced every aspect of life. The movement emerged after the First World War and it was guided by innovation and technology. It flourished during the interwar years, and at its peak it was a period of excess and luxury. Preceding it was Art Nouveau - which featured curvy lines, organic shapes and soft feminine forms; in contrast, Art Deco was strong, dramatic and modern.
The name comes from shortening the title: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was a design exhibition held in Paris in 1925. Art Deco was strongly influenced by cubism, therefore shapes were angular, bold and often symmetrical. A broad spectrum of colours was used, often combined with black. Contemporary materials like chrome replaced platinum, and the latest techniques were used to showcase the machine age.
The perfect platform for Art Deco Jewellery was an item like the cufflink, which was the ideal shape to show off the abstract, geometric lines of the movement. Previously inaccessible for the ordinary man, cufflinks were now mass produced and therefore affordable and hugely popular. Snap cufflinks were fashionable during this time. This unassuming accessory was firmly in the spotlight as men wore it to bring a touch of tradition and elegance to a suit. Cufflinks were worn as statement pieces and they allowed a man's personality to shine through in either colour or design.
