Blue & Cream Carved Galalith Necklace

Vintage plastic bead necklaces like this one were very popular in the Art Deco era. The beads were molded to simulate carving. What sets this 1930s necklace apart is the colors – dark blue on cream. This combination and the design are lovely and striking, and the different shapes of the beads add interest. Even the screw-in clasp forms a bead. I’m not sure what type of early plastic this piece is (possibly Galalith, the French equivalent of Bakelite) – it’s light, wonderful, and fun-to-wear in any case.