In the 1930's Chanel started her jewelry line with a selection of daytime wear chains, pearls and glass gemstone jewelry.
The quilted jersey fabric purse with chain strap is a signature of the Chanel style. However, Mlle. Chanel also was a highly regarded designer of costume jewelry.
In the 1930's Coco Chanel started her jewelry line with a selection of chains, pearls and glass gemstone jewelry that was meant to be worn with her daytime sportswear collection. Later, Chanel presented a design that is still in popular use in jewelry today - that of the Maltese cross. She incorporated this cross into her necklace, pin and bracelet designs.
The Maltese cross is differentiated from other cross designs in that the four arms of the cross are equal in length and they widen as they extend from the middle of the cross. The origin of this cross design was that shown on the back of the robes worn by the Knights Hospitallers - a religious and political order headquatered in Malta in the 11th century.
The original Chanel cross was designed by Verdura and was made of hand-poured glass. Mlle. Chanel's later designs were inspired by early Persian and Egyptian jewelry.
As an aside - Fulco di Verdura, designer of the Maltese Cross collection for Chanel, went on to open his own design house which is still thriving today.
My next series of articles will discuss the interesting topic of costume jewelry - what it is - what sets it apart and hi-light various costume jewelry artists.
