Mastery of Design: The Chaumet Bangle, 1935-1945

Jewelry of the 1930s, especially later in the decade, relied on clusters of gems and diamonds in geometric patterns which mirrored the weight of the more florid designs of the previous century, but reduced the designs to less organic shapes. 

Bangle
French, 1935-1945The Victoria & Albert Museum

This bangle of gold, rubies and diamonds reflects the Naturalistic themes of the Nineteenth Century while presenting them in a purely Twentieth Century light. The bangle appears to be sliced open to reveal a core of rubies in contrast to a field of pavé-set diamonds. This is the work of the renowned French firm of Chaumet. It is, at once, organic and meaty, all the while being cold and architectural.