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Copper Jewelry Information
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Copper has been used from early civilizations
onwards in making jewelry, both in
its pure state and in various alloys. Copper is believed to have been the
first metal known to man, perhaps as long ago as 13,000 B.C. In ancient Egypt,
copper was used in the production of weapons, instruments, tools and ornaments.
The diadem, or headband, often made from copper, was a part of royal attire that
symbolized power and dignity. |
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The use of enamel decoration on metal, in many variations, also originates
in ancient times. Some of the oldest techniques such as painted enamel have
been practiced by artists for a millennium or more. Cloisonné' enameling
enabled intricacy not possible with painted methods, and used thin wires or
cloisonné along the backing metal to trap and separate the colors from one
another. Also introduced was champleve' enameling in which the areas to be
enameled are etched or carved away. Developed much later, and used by many of
the great French jewelry makers of the 19th and 20th
century, is plique-a’-jour enameling which gives the effect of stained glass. The enamels here are translucent since no metal backing exists beneath the
glass. |
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Jewelry made from copper became
very popular in the 1930s when Francisco Rebajes began his career in the design
and production of copper art jewelry. He was the star of the Modernist
jewelry movement. His pieces were bold and dramatic, with beautiful soft
finishes. They were carefully handcrafted and drew inspiration from
sources as diverse as ethnic masks and Surrealism. |
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Renoir-Matisse was founded in Los Angeles in 1946 by Jerry Fels.
Renoir of California specialized in solid copper jewelry. Most of the
jewelry displayed the geometric or abstract forms and patterns characteristic of
the mid 20th century of art and design. Matisse Ltd. was the subsidiary
company. It specialized in copper jewelry with colorful enamel
decorations. |
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The advice on about
copper jewelry Information
comes from jewelry experts Linda and Perry, as well as from our frequent
visitors. If you'd like to add anything to this page, or have us add a topic of
interest for you, email us at
help@perlin-jewelry.com. |
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Our vintage copper jewelry catalog
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