Click-Clack

Late 30s Early 40s German Art Deco necklace: honey and black faceted lucite drop bib necklace; $153 from RoadsLessTravelled2 on EtsyAfter extolling my cousin’s chunky necklace yesterday, I went on a little Etsy hunt for some of its antecedents: Art Deco necklaces made from Bakelite.

Bakelite is an early plastic that is made from sythetic components. (I won’t bore you with the scientific explanation – you can go look up Wikipedia too.) It was used in radio and telephone casings, as well as far more interesting and appealing jewellery, children’s toys, kitchenware, and more.

Visit Gaslight & Shadows Antiques for a short history of BakeliteIt is still used today in fact, in the production of inexpensive board games in China, India and Hong Kong. Billiard balls, dominoes and pieces for chess, checkers and backgammon are also still made from Bakelite, for ‘its look durability, fine polish, weight and sound’. Who knew? I have always liked the clack billiard balls make when they strike one another – it’s as satisfying a sound as that lovely click a lipstick makes when you close the case (which is also an important component of lipstick packaging design I believe). 

And if you’re in Britain, don’t miss the Bakelite Museum. 

Honey Bakelite and gold metal choker necklace; $127 from Linda Starr on Etsy
Bakelite Art Deco necklace on celluloid chain with apple juice and amber beads; $145 from BrightEyesTreasures on Etsy