This month we look at the German Bauhaus art movement and it's influence on Art Deco Jewellery and design in the 1920s

The Bauhaus art movement was founded in 1919 in the city of Weimar by German architect Walter Gropius (1883–1969).

Radical in it's philosphy and very distinctive in it's design it bought together the elements of art, fashion, architecture and design.

The colour palette was also how it stood out from other art at the time. Often muted tones with beiges and browns were used to give the piece a more earthy (based in nature feel) and when combined with strong off primary colours this became a unique feature.

Inspired by this movement and the colours and shapes used, our designer Rachel Lovett has created a mini collection of pieces that page homage to this art movement and to art deco jewellery of the time. Also instead of using typical shiny / gloss bases Rachel has prefered to go with a matt finish for her art deco jewellery collection to reflect the overall mood.

Art Deco was most often viewed as extravagant and OTT but there was a lot of art deco jewellery design that used much more natural materials and more muted tones.

This is Eltham Palace in south London and a palace it well is but you can see from the grand lobby that the tones are pretty neutral, not to mention the exquisite wood panels that surround this curved space.

This use also of curved and straight lines are a signature of the 1920s and Bauhaus but art deco jewellery design too.

Rachel uses this with the overall shapes of the earrings and pendants being oval and the pattern hand painted in of straight lines with bold colour blocks.