Sphinx costume jewellery/jewelry was made by a British company started in 1948. In addition to their own line, they produced for many famous design houses such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Jomaz, Alfred Philippe of Trifari, Kenneth J Lane and Nina Ricci. The company closed in the 1990`s making Sphinx vintage jewellery/jewelry highly collectible today.
Blackamoor is a figure of a young male or female black African usually from North Africa. The head or bust is most common in jewellery however occasionally the full body is portrayed. These figures were the speciality of Venetian artisans while working in the `gateway to the east` had some of the earliest opportunities to see a variety of races. The figure is inspired by the mystery the east and so it comes as no surprise that a Blackamoor figure was considered to have protective powers and therefore was worn as an amulet. In the 19th century as the Grand Tour of Europe became fashionable Blackamoor figures were intriguing and became the sought-after jewellery of the rich. In 1950`s & 1960`s there was a renewed interest in the exotic and so the Blackamoor image returned.
Facebook
Twitter
