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Preliminary identification

Vintage ART Mode Jewelry Renaissance Revival Tassel Pendant Necklace, c. 1960s-1970s

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

An opulent vintage costume pendant necklace by ART featuring an ornate, cast gold-tone repoussé-style medallion embellished with articulated dangles and a fringe chain tassel. Suspended from a multi-strand textured rope chain, it perfectly captures the dramatic Renaissance and Baroque Revival aesthetics popular in mid-century American costume jewelry.

Story

Founded in 1940s New York by Arthur Pepper, ART specialized in dramatic historical revival jewelry. This piece echoed 16th-century court jewels to bring theatrical glam to everyday mid-century wardrobes.

Maker / Origin

Art Mode Jewelry Creations Inc., commonly known and stamped simply as 'ART ©', was founded by Arthur Pepper in New York City in the late 1940s and operated through the 1970s. The company was celebrated for its high-quality casting, rich finishes, and imaginative revivals spanning Victorian, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles.

Condition & Value

Very good vintage condition. Plating shows excellent retention with minimal surface rub, the chain tassel fringe is complete, and the hallmark cartouche is clearly legible. Excellent condition supports the top end of the estimate.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
  • ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.