Czech Art Deco Galalith early plastic Edelweiss flower necklace pendant

(1) vintage Czech Bohemian Art Deco early plastic Edelweiss flower necklace pendant. Super example of a Czech costume jewelry design element in original, untouched condition. Perfect for contemporary jewelry designers making vintage pieces.

Origin: N. Bohemia / Czech Vintage 1930's 
Size: 34mm, 1.3" diameter
Material: Plastic
Condition: Authentic vintage condition. 
Quantity: 1

Casein plastics were introduced at the beginning of the 20th century, their starting material being the protein in cows milk, precipitated by the action of the enzyme rennin. The material readily takes a surface dye, so coloured items can be quickly made from pale coloured stock items. 

On July 15th 1899, a patent for "plastic compositions" was taken out in Germany. The patent was taken up by firms in Germany (Vereinigten Gummivarenfabriken, at its factory in Harburg) and in France by Pellerin and Orosdi (Compagnie Francaise de la Galalithe, at Levallois Perret). The product was introduced under the trade name Galalith and was first shown at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900. A lot of development work was still required to produce a stable material, and the two companies merged in 1904 to form the International Galalith Gesellschaft Hoff and Company with a new factory in Harburg.