Happy New Year!!!

All our wishes for a beautiful new year!!!

Statue of Liberty at Night "Erte"

Love,

The Women of Isadoras

The "Arts & Crafts" Movement

The Arts & Crafts movement is interesting because it was both an artistic and a social movement. 

William Morris photographed by Fredrick Hollyer 1887

 Coinciding with, or rather reacting to the industrial revolution, the designer and socialist William Morris created a movement founded in the belief that industry dehumanized men and removed their creativity.  Revolting agains technology and the machine age, he advocated returning to a more holistic way of creation, by forming Medieval type guilds.

Arts & Crafts Agate Bracelet

In this philosophical spirit, he advocated hand made jewelry that was created by one designer from start to finish.  He emphasized the beauty of design over the wealth of the materials and chose to find beauty in imperfection. 

Arts & Crafts Moonstone Brooch

In this artistic spirit he drew inspiration from nature—creating pieces natural, abstract and sometimes symbolic.  Eschewing diamonds and rubies, he mounted lapis, turquoise, moonstone, carnelian, blister pearls, amethyst, peridot, malachite, opal and ivory in silver, copper and brass.  Enameling was also very popular.

Chrysoprase Scarab Silver Ring

Like most movements, it could not remain entirely uncommercial.  Liberty, a London shop, commissioned designers to create beautiful pieces in the Arts & Crafts style with an emphasis on design rather than material.  These pieces were made by machine and finished by hand.  All our stamped with the name Liberty, and though not as authentic to the original ethos of the Arts & Crafts movement, they are, still, fantastically beautiful works of art.

LINK TO ISADORAS ARTS & CRAFTS

Great Holiday Gift Ideas!!!

Isadoras has fantastic holiday gifts this season, many of which have not yet made it to the website.  Below is just a teaser of the some of the new items in our store . . .

Circa 1840 Steel Cut Matched Bangles

Circa 1880 Enamel & 14KT Victorian Earrings

Please stop by the store to see all our beautiful holiday merchandise in person!

Isadoras Holiday Sale!!!

We invite you to stop by Isadoras for exquisite antique jewelry, decadent chocolate and wonderful sale prices.

Can't make it into the store, please call us for the best price on any item on our website.

Link to Isadoras Antique Jewelry

More European Treasures for the Holidays!!!

Just in time for December, Isadoras has received more beautiful European treasures: long Victorian yellow gold chains,  delicate British rings, sapphire bracelets, sparkling Old European cut diamonds and so much more.  If you are looking for a perfect holiday gift, an engagement ring or a unique bauble for your heirloom collection, we invite you to stop by.

And as an added inducement, we have chocolate, because what pairs better with diamonds than decadent chocolate.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR EUROPEAN COLLECTION

The Edwardian Era: An Era of Femininity

The Edwardian era began when Prince Edward became King Edward VII in 1901.  Known as the Belle Epoque era in France, it was one of the most feminine, beautiful and opulent jewelry eras.

Edwardian Diamond Platinum Ring

In fashion, women wore feminine clothing accented with feathers, bows, lace and silk.  Their jewelry was made to compliment.

Edwardian Diamond Negligee Necklace

This is when platinum truly came into vogue, as jewelers finally recognized platinum's beauty and versatility.  Filigree became a favored motif as jewelers crafted platinum into mountings that looked like delicate lace sparkling with diamond and pearls for a sumptuous white on white look.

Edwardian French Heart Locket

Also popular were negligee, choker and sautoir necklaces, as were designs featuring jeweled ribbons, tassels, circles and stars.  Unlike the Arts &  Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, the Edwardian era was all about the highly precious-- featuring Old Mine Cut and Old European Cut diamonds and beautiful creamy pearls.

Edwardian Diamond & Pearl Earrings

 This period ended with the beginning of World War I.

LINK TO ISADORAS EDWARDIAN