Bakelite
In 1907, while experimenting to create an alternative for shellac, a Belgian chemist, Leo Baekeland, combined phenol (a disinfectant) and formaldehyde (a preservative) and discovered a product that became malleable and hard. He named it Bakelite, a derivative of his surname, Baekeland. Because of its nonconductive nature and heat resistance, this miraculous substance was first used for electric insulators, leading the way for other uses.
Initially, the color palette was limited. But by 1927, when Baekeland’s patent expired, including the name Bakelite, other companies—using his formula—rushed to manufacture new products. Their experiments led to developing a varied color palette that was used in their merchandise. The diverse colors made the pieces unique. Suddenly Bakelite products were in every aspect of consumer goods, ranging from radios, household wares, toys, to jewelry and more. An endless array of colors included vibrant reds, cranberry, emerald greens, shades of yellow and orange, to name just a few. The bonus was that the cost of an item was within a consumer’s grasp. And so, the plastic age began.
The colorful palette was especially desirable to jewelers and artists. Bangle bracelets became popular during the Art Deco period. Grouped together, they decorated flappers’ arms, and necklaces of Bakelite pearls or chunks, mixed with semi-precious stones or art glass, hung from their necks. Designers like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli embraced this new material, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Bakelite, the new plastic, was here to stay.
Some of the household uses for Bakelite were telephones, radios, cookware and utensil handles, spatulas, drawer knobs, vases, lamps, and more. If a designer imagined it, it would soon become the latest product. Bakelite production waned during World War II and eventually ended in the late 1940s, as new plastics replaced it.
At Tree House Antiques in Lower Township, I discovered various pieces of Bakelite, ranging from utensil handles, perfume “dabbers,” and high relief boxes, to vases to jewelry. A sweet bud vase caught my eye. It was rectangle shaped, the color of burnt orange, with marbling as if it were carved from stone. This diminutive vase was adorned by the shop’s owner with a tiny rose. Another unusual find was a lovely Murano art glass beaded necklace mixed with chunks of butterscotch colored Bakelite. If I time travelled to the 1920s, I could just imagine this necklace dangling from a flapper’s neck.
Now, how do you tell if you have an authentic piece of Bakelite? There are several tests: the hot water, friction, baking soda and weight test to name a few. Place your item in hot water or dip a cloth in hot water and rub the cloth on the piece. Either method will give off a scent of formaldehyde. Another non-invasive method is to weigh the piece in your hand. It should feel heavy and solid. Lastly, and not my favorite method, is to dip a cotton swab into baking soda and rub it in an obscure spot. A dark brown color usually emerges. There are other methods that use chemicals like Formula 409 that I would avoid at all costs.
One caveat in Bakelite production was that, at times, asbestos was added as filler instead of wood flour (or finely ground wood). Asbestos is not contained in all Bakelite, but because you don’t have the manufacturer’s data and can’t be certain if it does, you should choose wisely. As long as you avoid pieces that show extensive wear, like faded or chipped, then this shouldn’t dissuade you from purchasing a few choice pieces. Often Bakelite jewelry will be worn infrequently, or a vase will sit on your shelf among other collectibles. I love my bangle bracelets, grouping them together and throwing caution to the wind as they clang against one another.
As in any antique, scarcity, color, and condition are key to purchasing a piece of Bakelite. Prices reflect all these factors considered. And with the Summer season upon us I can’t think of a better reason to purchase a piece of this colorful jewelry or add a splash of color to your home decor.
