West Germany vintage costume jewelry
Made in the 1930s-60s, West German jewelry – exquisite works of art, created in the Victorian era stye. Traditionally, German jewelers used a variety of materials. In particular, silver and gold tone metal, rhodium, brass, chrome, multicolor rhinestones, and enamel of various colors. Also, art glass imitating turquoise, amethyst, opal, emerald, ruby, topaz, and pearls.
To date, the name of the designers and exact location of the manufacturers remains a mystery, while these pieces are becoming more difficult to find.
Initially, for all jewelry made in Germany before 1949, makers simply used “Germany” label. As we know, in 1949, Germany was divided into two parts, West and East Germany. Successful in the jewelry art, West German masters began marking their products “Western Germany” or “West Germany”, and sometimes “W. Germany”, or “Made in West Germany”.
Traditionally, European jewelry makers signed their decorations with the name of the country. Therefore, we can determine jewelry from Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, etc. Unlike American colleagues, European jewelers preferred not to advertise their products in fashion magazines. So, you will not see W.Germany jewelry advertising posters. Noteworthy, in 1990, after the reunification of East and West Germany, W.Germany jewelry ceased to appear on sale. Accordingly, it is instantly becoming a collectible rarity.
Traditionally, the design included the theme of cameos, so popular for many centuries. Cameo brooches, pendants, necklaces and clips – beautifully framed in delicate golden laces.