1. The Philadelphia bracelet is the holy grail for many Bakelite enthusiasts. I’d love to own one, too.
Prystal. Today such materials tend to fall under the umbrella term of ‘ Bakelite’. The new colours served to boost the material’s use in jewellery – even more so a !er Coco Chanel included several Bakelite pieces in her 1927 accessories collection. She was photographed on many occasions wearing Bakelite, but she was far from the only famous fan of this early plastic. One of its best-known collectors was Andy Warhol, whose hundreds of Bakelite baubles sold at Sotheby’s in 1988.
Patrick Cook fully understands the artist’s plastic obsession, having become a Bakelite devotee in the 1960s when he spo"ed an art deco radio in a showroom window. ‘The shop owner said to me, “You don’t want that… it’s Bakelite!” For me, this was a challenge, and led me on a quest to discover this material, which had reached its all-time low in the 1960s, superseded by the new generation of plastics such as melamine, polythene, and styrene, and inventions such as Tupperware.’
In spite of such competition, Bakelite’s appeal endured, and its collectable potential has rocketed over the years. Part of its charm lies in the plastic’s fascinating patina and its change in colour over time, which adds to its character. ‘ The beauty in a Bakelite item is the rich patination, and evidence of use is what a collector would appreciate,’ explains Patrick.
Satisfyingly Affordable
Many thousands of di #erent items have been created in Bakelite over the years, which means prices today can vary hugely, but the good news for prospective collectors is that it is o!en a very accessible and satisfying market. ‘ Now is a good time to start collecting Bakelite pieces,’ Patrick advises. ‘ Major collectors have generally acquired their landmark iconic pieces, leaving plenty of room for new collectors to purchase some splendid specimens well under £ 20 to £30, including the famous 1925