Life, 1916-12-07 · page 69 of 94
Life — December 7, 1916 — page 69: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a cartoon or satire—it's a **straightforward advertisement** for costume jewelry by the Ostby & Barton Company. The page features a glamorous illustration of a fashionable woman modeling rings, surrounded by photographs of various ring designs. The text emphasizes that costume jewelry (affordable imitation jewelry using semi-precious stones and gold-plated metals) is now fashionable and respectable as a Christmas gift for women of "taste." The social context: In the 1920s-30s era suggested by the styling, costume jewelry was becoming socially acceptable among middle and upper classes as a practical, fashionable alternative to expensive fine jewelry. The advertisement targets gift-givers seeking to give "rare distinction" without premium prices. There is no political satire or social commentary here—simply a period advertisement marketing the acceptability and elegance of costume jewelry for holiday shopping.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-CHRISTMAS LIFE- 1049 COSTUME JEWELRY by OSTBY & BARTON COMPANY Charming Rings for TLler CAristmas & GIFT of rare distinction and specially pleasing to the womarr of taste is a piece of this new jewelry. Women everywhere are welcoming Costume Jewelry, with its fresh design, form and color—each piece an individual expression of the prevailing mode. ] This new Costume Jewelry is created by the nei hen leading designers of this country and Europe ’ for Ostby and Barton, whose exquisite work- manship is well-known to all wearers of jewelry. . The new designs are executed in genuine precious and semi-precious stones, set in 14K. white gold (with the color and lustre of platinum), yellow gold and green gold. For the convenience of gift purchasers, a few of the rings are illustrated on this page, with descriptive notes. These pieces, and many more, including the new Brooches and Pendants, may be had of fepresentative costume shops and department stores in the larger cities, and of first-class jewelers. Ask for Costume Jewelry by name. : wath Diamonds, and pink and = Ea recimalines a de Ehefully clecful eng. fa. “i the fascination sgouen Pers, tix Groen Gold tracery, makes the most 1 only cf 10 wondrfal clot and | Soll hak of oving BS fee fe. color, what move enlorl chun this hoe reconverscted Rusby | spot of dewp, ch | tm high wetong. of Yellow {L Gat OSTBY & BARTON COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — - comicbooks.com