Bakelite Jewelry: The Art of the Carver [Hardcover]

Lyn Tortoriello (Author), Deborah Lyons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2008

Vintage carved Bakelite jewelry, from the great style era of the 1930s and 1940s, remains a highly sought-after category of collectible interest worldwide. From ever-popular bangles and hinged bracelets, to pins, dress clips, buckles, pendants, and earrings, these little works of art are endlessly satisfying. The great carved pieces are hard to find, valuable, and much coveted. An eye-popping array of over 1,000 vintage jewelry items in carved Bakelite is explored. Organized to highlight their many patterns and brilliant colors, these little gems of fashion are displayed in over 300 detailed color photographs. This jewel box of a book honors the art and painstaking craft of carving Bakelite into fun and interesting personal adornments. Admire it, collect it, and enjoy it!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 187 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (May 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764329146
• ISBN-13: 978-0764329142
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,055,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 40 Year Collector Ranks this book at TOP!, July 15, 2011

By 

PatrickKapty - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bakelite Jewelry: The Art of the Carver (Hardcover)

I'd held off buying this book for quite awhile as I'd seen earlier reviews that were less than appreciative. However, I finally took a chance, and just received my copy today, and I have to say that this book is in the top tier of Bakelite books. The photography and layout are superb! the information is concisely stated, and the touch of humor here and there makes this book a stand-out! In fact, I can't think of any other book on Bakelite that comes close in overall quality since the original Bakelite Jewelry book. Not one piece of questionable or reproduction Fakelite that seems to be crowding the pages of lesser quality books, and the photography is very fine quality which makes the pieces POP off the page revealing details that you don't normally get from mere photographs. I'm a 40 year collector of Bakelite, and I gave this book 5 stars but would have given it more if possible. Don't let other reviews make you hesitate, BUY THIS BOOK!!!

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be better, August 28, 2008

By 

L. DiBrita "Cornymins" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bakelite Jewelry: The Art of the Carver (Hardcover)

Well, where to start? I am always annoyed at the amount of blank space in these glossy books - put more photos!! This book is supposed to be about bakelite - but very little is discussed on the actual carving or how these pieces get made. I really want a book that tells me HOW these pieces were created! One other minor issue is that many of the pieces in this book were either black or brown bakelite which made it difficult to see the carving. The book did not have alot on figural pieces - fruits, veggies, animals and these are very important to collectors! All in all, I'm glad I have this book but it could be better!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bakelite Jewelry, August 31, 2008

By 

Catherine Taylor "Catherine Taylor" (Overland Park, KS) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bakelite Jewelry: The Art of the Carver (Hardcover)

Love this book! Beautiful photographs. I am fascinated by bakelite and the new bakelite (known as French Galalith) so much that I am now collecting. My husband is forcing me to sell some too! Ha! Very informative book and a must for Bakelite collectors!