Openwork or open-work is a term in art history, architecture and related fields for any technique that produces decoration by creating holes, piercings, or gaps that go right through a solid material such as metal, wood, stone, pottery, cloth, leather, or ivory. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco openwork items including an Art Deco diamond bracelet and a painted openwork umbrella stand.
An Amsterdam School copper and brass ceiling lamp, attributed to Winkelman & Van der Bijl, Amsterdam 1920’s the mount with cast and openworked ornaments, supporting a satinated glass shade with cut motifs, with a single light fitted for electricity height 32 cm, diameter 68 cm
Sold for 4,375 EUR at Sotheby’s in 2008
AN ART DECO DIAMOND BRACELET, BY BULGARI, CIRCA 1930 The articulated openwork geometric strap set throughout with old brilliant, single and baguette-cut diamonds, signed Bulgari, 18.5 cm, case by S. Bulgari
Sold for £ 29,000 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2020
AN ART DECO WROUGHT IRON AND ALABASTER FLOOR LAMP WITH OPENWORK BASE CIRCA 1930 71 ¼ in. (181 cm.) high
Sold for GBP 2,375 at Christie’s in 2016
Art Deco Platinum, Gold, Emerald and Diamond Dress Set 14 kt., including one pair of cufflinks and three studs, designed as openwork basketweave circles set with small single-cut diamonds and rectangular-cut emeralds, circa 1920, approximately 7.8 dwts. With box.
Sold for $3,750 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2016
A GREAT BRONZE ART DECO MIRROR WITH ENAMELING
The heavy, ornate bronze casting displaying its original finish, the top plaque with mermaid in relief on green ground, openwork swirls, finials with red enamel, decorative half round finials and rope twist decoration, lower drop finials with additional red and green accent, original plate, circa 1930s.
Sold for $275 at Soulis Auctions in 2020
An Art Deco painted openwork iron umbrella stand having concentric circles with floral embellishments circa 1930
Sold for $300 at Kamelot Auctions in 2019
