Art Deco Bakelite Link Bracelet

This is a vintage Art Deco style panel bracelet, estimated to have been manufactured between the 1930s and 1940s. The piece is constructed from high-quality Bakelite (phenol formaldehyde resin), featuring a striking two-tone color palette of deep butterscotch and opaque black. The design consists of nine primary butterscotch rectangular panels with a ribbed or 'channeled' carved texture, providing depth and a tactile quality. These larger segments are interconnected by small, spherical black spacers and smaller butterscotch round beads, arranged in a double-stranded parallel configuration. The assembly uses a durable internal cord or wire system common to the period. The butterscotch resin exhibits a rich, aged patina consistent with the oxidation process of vintage Bakelite. The clasp appears to be a metallic ring-and-bar toggle closure, showing minor surface oxidation. The overall condition is excellent for its age, with no visible chips, cracks, or heavy crazing. This piece exemplifies the bold geometric aesthetic of mid-20th-century costume jewelry, highly sought after by collectors for its weight, distinctive sound (the 'Bakelite clunk'), and historical significance in the development of early plastics.

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