Page 33 - joa-1-22R

ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

Shine On

very period in history had its It Began with Jewelry style was the production of chrome plating
trends and things it was One of the first uses for chrome kept becoming cheaper as time passed.
Eknown for. The Art Deco plating was in the field of jewelry By the 1950s the Art Deco period was
period was no different. It was a production. Specifically, it was over, but chrome was as popular as ever. It just
period when Americans were look- used to strengthen and reinforce took on a lot of more utilitarian uses. For
ing toward the future. Many pieces platinum wedding rings against example, it was commonly used in vehicle
of furniture and art made in that getting scratched. Those fortified production. It also became one of the primary
time had designs that were considered wedding rings were so successful that components of plumbing
“ahead of their time” or “streamlined” chrome-plated jewelry of all types quickly equipment. Even today,
compared to their predecessors. The pool of became popular, especially rings and chrome-plated faucets
materials used in design also expanded rap- earrings. The Jakob Bengel Company and other plumbing
idly during the Art Deco period. One such became one of the biggest producers of remain popular. That is
material that became quite popular was such jewelry throughout the Art Deco because it is shiny and
chrome. Let’s take a peek at how and period. That jewelry is still popular resistant to wear or rust.
why chrome items were so popular with collectors today.
throughout the Art Deco period and In fact, the popular PBS series Art Deco Chrome
which ones still interest collectors today. Antiques Roadshow appraised a to Collect
Jakob Bengel necklace at $900 One unique things
Chrome and Its History to $1,200. about chrome-plated items
Chrome, or chromium, is a type of as collectibles is they are Art Deco American
metal also called “poor man’s silver.” It The Progression to extremely long-lived. That chrome-plated
is usually applied in the form of a thin Furniture and Appliances is why so many Art Deco champagne Ice bucket.
coating, also called plating. Often, it The Art Deco movement really chrome pieces from the Geometric and fluted
is applied over nickel or another began overseas. It didn’t truly hit the 1920s and 1930s have sur- trim lip, ring handles.
type of metal, and can also be U.S. until around 1930, but vived for the last 100 years A figure and two deer
applied over plastic in some Art Deco metal figural lamp when it did it hit hard. or so. Therefore, you have on one side, designed
by Rockwell Kent
circumstances. after Josef Lorenzl circa 1930 Nowhere was that more evident a lot of choices when it for Chase.
In the early 19th Century, a than in furniture stores and comes to items to collect.
process called electroplating was invented. skyscrapers. Designers like Paul The Art Deco era chrome pieces you
That process involved placing certain metal Frankl and Donald Deskey (the might choose—depending on the space
objects in a solution of what designer of Radio City Music and budget you have, as well as your
Art Deco chrome was at the time liquid gold. Hall in New York City) style—vary from small appliances to
and glass bracelet a stylish Electrolux vacuum. Pieces
with red and When electricity was applied, were producing lines of
black “”stones” the gold adhered to the metal furniture that were clean, produced by Chase Brass and
objects. This allowed certain glossy, and streamlined. Copper Co. are quite popular. Many
objects to be covered (plated) Many of them featured of those pieces sell for hundreds of
in gold rather than entirely made chrome-plated legs or other dollars today, and some sell for
out of gold. components. Soon, home thousands. They include vases,
Electroplating only works when appliances were also featur- The Superelectric Toaster ashtrays, and bookends. Pieces
metal objects are dipped into very ing glossy, chrome-plated designed for Chase by Rockwell Kent
specific solutions. In 1920 a man finishes. Art Deco style toasters became are particularly sought after.
named Dr. George J. Sargent particularly popular throughout the 1930s and If such pieces are out of your budget,
wrote a paper stating he had into the 1940s. don’t worry. You can find plenty of less
discovered the exact combination expensive Art Deco chrome pieces to collect.
of components to use in which It Also Included Actual Art Just be aware that many were reproduced.
chromium electroplating would Although one of the largest Art Deco It is important to familiarize yourself
work. However, it was not until statues in the United States was made with with the designers, styles, and maker’s marks
four years later that the process aluminum, chrome plated statues were also that interest you so you
was officially developed at popular. They could be found in France, can avoid accidentally
Columbia University. Germany, and eventually mad its way to the purchasing pieces that are
United States. not authentic.
Perfect Timing In addition to stand-alone statues, artistic
The perfection of the chrome figural chrome plated items like bookends
plating process coincided beauti- were also produced. There were even many
fully with the birth of the Art types of lamps produced with chrome-plated
Deco period. As people sought bases or other features. Eventually, it seemed
out styles with cleaner lines like everywhere one turned there was sure
but unique appearances, nothing to be chrome. This 1930s
fit the bill more than chrome lounge chair
plating. However, the popularity Eventually, it Expanded to Plumbing features chrome-
of chrome took a few very and Automobile Parts plated supports
interesting twists and turns One of the reasons for the ever-increasing lending an accent
along the way. popularity of chrome besides its sleek, shiny to the streamlined
structure.
January 2022 31