In 1908, Dr. L. H. Baeckland was working to invent a better shellac, and accidently made some stuff that got so hard when heated, that he couldn't melt it again and couldn't get it out of his test tube! The gunk turned out to be a phenolic resin, the world's first thermosetting plastic. It was very stable and also a good insulator, so soon found use.

In 1910, Baeckland founded the Bakelite Company. This new stuff could be easily cast in a mold, and soon became the standard material for making small radios and a thousand other items, including jewelry. Most of the jewelry was not mass produced, but rather hand made, carved out of colored blanks of resin supplied by Bakelite. (In 1927, their patent expired, and other companies began making other similiar resins under names like Marblette and Catalan, but the brand name Bakelite was so well established that people called them all Bakelite, and still do.)

So we aren't sure whether or not this hanging compact is legally Bakelite. But it is definitely the stuff called bakelite.

Bakelite was widely sold in the 20's, 3now0's and 40's, but after the War, times changed. Manufacturing stopped, so now most all bakelite is at least sixty years old.

The two facing hollowed-out halves of this Pendant are identically shaped, and pivot apart, so the piece slides open or closed easily, wih no catch. It is excellent condition, with only the faint scratchs of normal use. There is no hallmark or other indication of parentage. There are no mold marks. The worst flaw is typical discoloration around the edges of the ancient little mirror set inside the front face.

We have not polished it, as some people prefer the patina and muted color of age.

The pendant is 2 1/2 inches high, 1 3/4 inches wide, and 3/8 inch thick. The fittings and the 28" long chain are celluloid, the only plastic that's older than Bakelite. The chain has alternating open rectangular links and twisted figure-eight links.

OUR GUARANTEE: If you find this necklace is not as represented, send it back at once for an immediate refund.

PRICE . . . . $350