| For centuries, elaborate jewelry boxes have been | | | | jewelry box designs, while Weidlich Brothers had |
| created by skilled craftsmen. In some cases, the | | | | patents on their Colonial designs. The golden age |
| boxes have been crafted to be as precious as | | | | of jewelry boxes was represented from 1904 to |
| the treasures they store. | | | | 1918, during which there was a mass production |
| During the Industrial Revolution, the concept of | | | | of jewelry boxes. Gold and silver boxes were |
| mass production enabled the newly established | | | | very common. Today's silver-plated versions are |
| middle class of society to purchase items such as | | | | considered antique jewelry boxes and are very |
| jewelry boxes, in addition to other luxury items. | | | | rare. Ivory-finished boxes, although designed later, |
| As jewelry boxes were being manufactured in | | | | are also considered rare and hard to find. Because |
| bulk, the cost involved to produce them, as well | | | | of their durability, the boxes have often been |
| as the cost to the consumer, was considerably | | | | passed down through family generations. |
| less. What was considered a luxury item could | | | | What to Consider When Purchasing a Jewelry Box |
| now by enjoyed by the masses. | | | | More than just a box, a jewelry box can be an |
| In the early 1900s, housewives began receiving | | | | ornate work of art designed to store and protect |
| mail order catalogs from companies such as | | | | precious jewels, necklaces, bracelets, and other |
| Sears, Wards and Marshall Fields. Now, the | | | | valuable treasures. A jewelry box can also signify |
| average family could purchase a jewelry box | | | | wealth, heritage and sophistication. Set within its |
| whether they lived in Topeka, Kansas or New | | | | beautiful confines, a simple piece of jewelry is |
| York City. In the meantime, jewelry stores | | | | greatly enhanced and accentuated. Therefore, the |
| displayed the trendiest and loveliest jewelry box | | | | design and make of a jewelry box is important in |
| designs. They came in a variety of sizes and | | | | creating the ideal ambiance for your pieces. |
| styles - from diminutive ring boxes to boxes large | | | | Following are a few things to keep in mind when |
| enough to store a lady's gloves. | | | | choosing the perfect jewelry box: |
| For the construction of jewelry boxes, antimonial | | | | Keep your entire jewelry collection in mind. |
| lead was the most common base metal used. In | | | | Consider what pieces make up your jewelry |
| the beginning, jewelry boxes were electroplated | | | | collection. Are there more rings than bracelets? |
| with copper and finished with either gold or silver. | | | | Do you own more silver than gold jewelry? |
| Over time, however, enamel finished boxes | | | | Choose a jewelry box that fits the type of |
| proved to last longer than gold or silver boxes. | | | | jewelry in your collection and accentuates the |
| The decorative storage cases were finished with | | | | quality of your pieces. |
| a variety of touches, including French Bronze, | | | | Choose a box that has enough room for each |
| Roman Gold, Pompeian Gold, French Gray, and | | | | piece you have. Select a jewelry box that allows |
| Parisian Silver. In the mid-1900s, ivory finishes | | | | ample room for each piece in the collection. |
| were introduced. | | | | Stored too closely together, pieces of jewelry |
| During the early 1900s, Art Nouveau was all the | | | | can rub against one another, diminishing their |
| rage and so it was also the most desirable | | | | appearance and value. |
| decorative style for jewelry boxes. This romantic | | | | Consider two boxes rather than one. Depending |
| design was famous for its flowing, asymmetrical | | | | on the size of your jewelry collection, it might be |
| lines containing motifs related to nature. Artists | | | | a good idea to separate the pieces into two |
| also employed the use of flowers on Art | | | | boxes. For example, if you own equal amounts of |
| Nouveau-designed jewelry boxes. For instance, | | | | gold and silver pieces, choose two boxes, one for |
| the four-leafed clover represented good luck; | | | | each type. Trying to force an entire collection into |
| daisies were used for innocence; and roses | | | | one box can make it appear cluttered and |
| symbolized love and beauty. | | | | mismatched. |
| A variety of American manufacturers produced | | | | The choice of a jewelry box should depend on |
| and designed jewelry boxes. They included | | | | your jewelry collection. Before purchasing a box, |
| Jennings Brothers, Kronheimer and Oldebusch, | | | | consider the look, size, and variation of your |
| Benedict, NB Rogers, and The Art Metal Works. | | | | pieces. Choose a jewelry box that fits well with |
| Brainard and Wilson patented the Nouveau | | | | your collection as a whole. |