Art Retro

Retro Style is a recent designation for the period in the forties when large scale, stylized geometric forms, drapes, bows, or ribbons were all the rage. The Retro style was strongly influenced by its predecessor: the Art Deco style. It used the same type and language of geometrical shapes but with bolder, heavier lines, shapes, and stones.

Typical for the Retro style is its imitation of three-dimensional folds of fabric, with the ribbon bow as its most popular motif, often highlighted in the center with a calibré cut ruby or sapphire knot (mostly lab-produced stones were used, see also Verneuil rubies and sapphires) and diamonds in various cuts as white accents.

That gold regained its popularity during the Retro period was due to the fact that platinum was not available to the goldsmiths and jewellers since it was being used for the war effort. This was the main reason that during the Retro period, different colors of gold became popular—yellow gold was combined with rose gold and green gold in striking combinations. In France, goldsmiths worked with no less than 27 shades of colors of gold.

Click here to see a close-up of this strong design retro brooch.

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