Arts and Crafts Era (1880-1930)

The Arts and Crafts Movement developed in the later part of the 19th century in response to the industrial revolution and the growing mass production of goods in Britain.  The movement was heavily influenced by Pre-Raphaelite artists such as William Morris, John Ruskin and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

The Arts and Crafts Movement focused on the creation of beautiful designs (in furniture, textiles and jewellery) which were hand-made by skilled artisans.  Most jewellery was made of silver with panels of blue-green enamel and/or gemstones such as pearls, moonstones, turquoise, amethyst or opal. Artisans tended to chose gems for their colour, not their monetary value. The movement continued through to around 1930 and encompassed the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.