Sheryls Art Deco Emporium

Telephone: (U.K.) 01883 620767 . . (International) 00 44 1883 620767. . (Mobile) 07970 493464

The company of Jakob Bengel was founded in around 1873 and based in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Its history is just now beginning to be told. It started as an engineering company that during its early years produced mainly watch chains and metalware. In the early 1930s the company produced an amazing amount of Art Deco, Bauhaus modernist costume jewellery in chome and galalith. Bengel employed many top designers such as Willhelm Wagenfeld who was a graduate of the Bauhaus. Bengel exported worldwide. Galalith was a material produced from casein in milk. The new material was very versatile as it could made in an amazing array of colours and finishes and it was easy to cut, mold, drill and polish. This made it very suitable for the production of jewellery.
Due to the second world war the jewellery production ceased, the workers downed their tools on the work benches where they were found later covered in a layer of dust as though they had just gone to lunch. A forgotten time capsule - until 2002 when it was rediscovered in a state of decline. However it had retained its own history, having amazing archives with pattern books, information on the workers and designers and rooms full of unsold and unfinished deco jewellery.
The factory has now been re-opened as a museum. The jewellery produced by Jakob Bengel is timeless, it portrayed incredible creativity and an awareness of the new woman of the 1930s. It is highly sought after today by collectors worldwide.
There are two books available on the subject -

Art Deco Schmuck, Jakob Bengel Idar- Oberstein, Germany by Arnoldsche. ISBN - 3-89790-179-X

The new one (just out) is -
Bengel Art Deco Schmuck, W. Lindemann (H.G) Bengel Art Deco Scchmuck.
Und Industrie-denkmal, Idar-Oberstein.

Most of the items listed for sale here are new/old unsold stock discovered when the factory was re opened. Those that are not are called 'used' Bengels.

Rare Jakob Bendel Bracelet
This bracelet is for a small or possibly child's wrist. It measures approx. 7 inches (18cm) total length. It is old/new stock and still bears its 1930's model label. The green beads are glass and the others are metal. These Bengel items are highly sought after worldwide and of museum quality

Ref: JE93 . . . £85

Galalith Necklace by Jakob Bengel
Stunning 1930's German modernist necklace made of red and black galalith (bakelite) and chrome. It has an approx. 9.5 inch (24cm) drop and the bottom central panel measures approx., a large 2.5 inches (6cm). Similar items can be viewed in the Art Deco Schmuck book. Excellent condition.

Ref: JE123 . . . £465

Earrings by Jakob Bengel
Chrome and galalith clip on earrings in various colours and one green pair for pierced ears. Each measures 1.75 inches (4.5cm) drop.

Ref: JE736 . . . £58 pair

Chunky Modernist Necklace
Another wonderful and very stylish necklace by Bengel with chrome and red and black galalith. Measures 20 inches (51cm) from clasp to clasp. Condition is excellent.

Ref: JE469 . . . £465

Chunky Bengel Bracelet
Wonderful German black and red galalith and chrome bracelet (compliments JE469 necklace). In excellent condition being new/old stock, made by the Bengel factory in the 1930零.

Ref: JE470 . . . Reserved

Green Marbled Galalith Necklace
Chrome and green marbled galalith balls necklace. The 3 bright green balls have lovely figuring (not visible in this darker photograph) and the chromed chain features an unusual twisted figure of 8 detail. Balls measure 15cm diameter and total chain length from clasp to clasp is 17 inches (43cm). In as-new condition.

Ref: JE1084 . . . £95

Modernist Necklace by Bengel
Stunning German black galalith and chrome necklace with triple chain detail by Jakob Bengel. Total length from clasp to clasp is 17 inches (43cm). In very good used condition.

Ref: JE1086 . . . £195

Modernist Necklace by Bengel
Another stunning German galalith and chrome necklace in black and teal blue. The centre section measures 2.5 inches by 2 inches (6.5 x5cm). Total length from clasp to clasp is 18.5 inches (47cm). In excellent condition as new/old unsold stock.

Ref: JE1088 . . . £465

Modernist Necklace by Bengel
German galalith and chrome necklace in red and black made in 1931. The centre section measures 1.5 inches by 2 inches (4cm x 5cm). Total length from clasp to clasp is 19.5 inches (49cm). In excellent condition as new/old unsold stock.

Ref: JE1089 . . . £465

Stunning Modernist Necklace by Bengel
German galalith and chrome necklace in black and red produced in 1931. The centre section measures 1.75 inches by 4.75 inches (4.5 x 12cm). Total length from clasp to clasp is 15.5 inches (40cm). In excellent condition as new/old unsold stock. Similar piece can be viewed in the 1st edition Bengel book on page 124.

Ref: JE1090 . . . £465

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 27

Jewellery Homepage

To return to my non-jewellery items please click here.