Featured Help with this black beauty. Deco era? Maybe Bakelite? Artist piece

Hi!
I’ve had this sitting around for a while. I’ve not been able to come up with anything on it. It’s approx 15.5” in length, strung on string and unsure of what the material is. I don’t see any seams but don’t think this was carved. When I picked it up the person behind me got upset and muttered that it was made by ???? But I was afraid to ask them what they had mentioned since they were a little perturbed

Anywho, hoping for some info on this I have not tested it for Bakelite. I’ve come to understand black can be hard to test? I only faintly smell perfume. I can never smell Bakelite at any rate.

Am I right on the deco era and style?

Thank you as always for any help you may provide.

 

That’s really cool! Not sure I can be of much help, but let’s see…. be warned, I may have more questions than you have!

The short length points toward earlier.

That type clasp has been around for decades & was definitely used during Bakelite’s heyday. There’s heavy Deco influence, but whether it’s period Deco would depend on other things including a definitive material I.D.
I seem to recall plain baking soda being the better test for black Bakelite - dampen a q-tip or cloth, dip into the soda & rub…. Wash the spot before you test, and after.

It reminds me a bit of the deco-flavored chunky beaded necklaces of disco era 70s/early 80s…. Leaning toward older however.

You say it’s strung on ‘string’ - what material is the string? The only place in your pics I can spot almost looks like clear acrylic, but I can’t see it very well.
(Just noticed you said you weren’t sure of the material…nvm!)

Does it feel lighter or heavier for its size? Is it all the same material ie plastic? Or possibly metal/glass etc on some pieces?

Just to clarify, is there any iridescence or is it gloss black?

Are there any chips on any of the pieces that would show what’s underneath the black?

 

[QUOTE="Rufus@frockstarvintage

Hi!
Definitely strung on a black, cotton?, string. No chips or nips in it that would let me know if it is black through and through I tried shining my phone light through a slab and it’s very opaque. You can’t see any light coming through. It is weighty but certainly not heavy. It’s almost a semi gloss black with no iridescent sheen. It does appear to be made from the same material My gut instinct was saying this was from the 40’s but…
Posted a pic of the baking soda test! Weird. Lol

 

That looks like dye on the q-tip.
Was there any noticeable scent when you applied the baking soda?

 

I didn’t trying sniffing it. My nose is not the best

 

The facets look hand cut, so I think proper Deco era. Does it feel warm or cold?

 

Whitby jet?

 

Haven't seen an Art Deco Whitby jet necklace, but you never know.
Gauntlett, you can test for jet by rubbing an inconspicuous part of the necklace on unglazed porcelain, the back of a tile for instance.

French jet (Bohemian glass) can be hand cut as well.

 

nice find !

 

Stunning on I bet!

 

Is this heavy? Cold to the touch? Magnetic?

 

It’s not glass for sure! I’ll try the whit y test but I doubt it. I’ll try the touch test again to see if it’s cold. It’s a real stumper!

 

While you’re at it, try the baking soda test again if you can recruit a sensitive-to-stink nose! Medicinal/formaldehyde scent would point to Bakelite.

 

I'm thinking haemetite.

 

I’m thinking it’s Destined to be Mine

 

Definitely not hematite.

 

Hi,
Finally got around to doing the Whitby test on unglazed earthenware and the following is the result. What do you think? It’s definitely not any kind of glass or cold stone.

What do you think?

Thank you

 

Just found this while looking up something else!!! The beads on the last piece look like mine. Maybe Whitby jet. Woo hoo. Gonna keep looking

 

jet is a good possibility !!!

 

Yay!! I’m stoked. Just bought the book for research