Arts and Crafts

A design movement that began in the late 1800s as a rebellion against the mass-produced, machine made designs of questionable aesthetic value common in the late Victorian era. The designers felt that their work should look handmade, and therefore they often left hammer marks on the piece. Although pieces were made of gold, silver was more commonly used to emphasize the craftmanship of the piece rather than the intrinsic value of the components. Stones were commonly less expensive cabochon stones such as moonstone, mother or pearl, agates or amber. Enamel work was also used.