Fabulous Jakob Bengel 1930s Art Deco chrome and orange galalith geometric collar necklace. This is a very recognisable design by Bengel - a variation on the design seen on the cover of the book shown in picture 8 (Art Deco Schmuck by Christianne Weber-Stober and Ilonka Wenk. The same design as this ornate piece in green has previously been listed online here: and I have previously sold the similar design here: www.etsy.com/uk/listing/754296673

It has lovely chrome links in streamlined Deco geometric loops that are evenly sized around the neck and then extend when they meet at the fabulous central trio of orange galalith. These three large rectangular pieces of the early plastic called galalith have smooth domed tops and flat backs. It is a very attractive colour of galaith - a vibrant orange The vintage condition is very good, but please examine and zoom in on all photos for a full condition report for a necklace that is about 90 years old.

Jakob Bengel was a chain and costume jewellery factory, founded by Jakob Bengel in 1873 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Until 1920, the company specialised in the production of watch chains and chatelaines (pendants for pocket watches). In the 1920s and 1930s, it became one of the leading manufacturers of fashion jewellery in the Art Deco style. It was during the Bauhaus and Art Deco period that designers were looking to obtain new materials and inspiration to produce costume jewellery. Inspired by French Avant-Garde and other fashion trendsetters such as Coco Chanel, Bengel started to produce experimental jewellery. The pieces, catalogued 1924-1939, combined brass, pinchbeck, nickel and chrome with geometric shapes of coloured galalith (a casein-based early plastic).