Each designed as an elongated red coral drop, embellished with millegrain-set onyx and diamond detail, suspended from a flexible line of circular-cut diamonds, to a square-shaped coral surmount, screw fittings, circa 1923 - 1929, French assay marks for platinum. Length: 6.3cm, drop width 0.9cm. Weight: 6.7 grams

Note:
Quintessentially 1920s, these little drops are a wonderful example of both a fashionable design and material choice for the modern jewels of the period.

Post World War One, the jewellery world underwent many revolutionary changes as a reflection of those going on within European societies in general, and one that would evolve even more over the century to come was jewellery's relationship with fashion. No longer purposefully unaware of each other, there began to be an argument for a conscious synergy.

The drop-shape suspended from a flexible line was a popular choice for both its flattering accompaniment of the shorter hairstyles and collar-less dresses en vogue, a trend which would grow in exaggeration as the decade progressed into the next, and the fluidity of their movement was perfectly showcased by the modern dancing styles of the Jazz Age.

The gem-stone palette of the 1920s was extended beyond traditional choices into the semi-precious and hard stones. No pairing of colours was more indicative of the modern decorative art aesthetic than black and red...inspired by the traditional Chinese and Japanese lacquers that permeated Modern furniture and decorative object tastes, the jewellery world mirrored these lacquers with coral and onyx. One of the more fervent Modernists, jeweller Gérard Sandoz, commissioned interior designer René Crevel to remodel the Sandoz shop front on rue Royale in a geometric pattern strikingly composed of red and black marble.