Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
ART NOUVEAU STYLE
Art Nouveau — generally considered to have begun in the late 1800s and ended with the start of World War I — was a movement in the decorative arts that drew inspiration from natural forms, such as trees, flowers and, of course, the human figure. The three main themes present in Art Nouveau jewelry and watches were flora, fauna and women.
Art Nouveau, which reached its pinnacle in the year 1900, spawned from artists who rejected the historicism of their predecessors to create an entirely new visual vocabulary. As compared to Art Deco jewelry’s geometric patterns and sharp lines, the extravagant style of antique Art Nouveau jewelry is characterized by curvilinear forms and whiplash lines, vibrant materials and dramatic imagery.
The first art and design movement of the 20th century, Art Nouveau was also a reaction against the Industrial Revolution, and took its inspiration from the theories of the Symbolists, the art of the Pre-Raphaelites, the ideas of John Ruskin and his follower William Morris and, most importantly Japanese crafts. (The country was a fertile ground for inspiration after it was opened to the West in 1854.) The Art Nouveau style touched all manners of the arts, including the most exultant jewelry.
Nature was a favorite muse for artists going back to the 18th and 19th centuries, but in the hands of 20th-century artists, it was depicted in new ways. For example, a withering flower was considered just as beautiful as one in full bloom. Winged creatures, such as insects and birds, were also a popular subject. Dragonflies and butterflies were particular favorites because they morphed so dramatically in different life stages.
This was also a reference to women, whose role in society was evolving. It was not uncommon to see a piece of jewelry that would at once reference a woman as a winged creature (think René Lalique’s famous Dragonfly brooch, circa 1897–98, at the Gulbenkian Collection in Lisbon). However, just as women’s roles were ambiguous, so was their image, as the femmes nouvelle were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized.
In addition to Lalique, vital figures in Art Nouveau jewelry included Louis Comfort Tiffany in the United States, Vladimir Soloviev, who designed jewelry for Peter Carl Fabergé in Russia, Fuset Grau of Spain, Karl Rothmuller of Germany and Philippe Wolfers of Belgium.
Art Nouveau jewelers used every “canvas” imaginable, looking beyond brooches and necklaces to belt buckles, fans, tiaras, dog collars (a type of choker necklace), pocket watches, corsages and hair combs. Multicolored gems and enamel could complete this vision better than diamonds. Jewelers also favored pearls, particularly baroque pearls, for their large size and irregular shape. However, opal was the most popular stone — its iridescence harmonized perfectly with the enamel, and it could be carved into any shape. Art Nouveau jewelry was primarily set in yellow gold.
Find a range of antique Art Nouveau jewelry today on 1stDibs.
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Style: Art Nouveau
Two Imperial Russian I.Khlebnikov Glass Holders solid 84 Silver / 250gr
Located in SE
A pair of wonderful Art Nouveau-styled Russian 84 Silver Tea Glass Holders made in Moscow at the workshop of a very famous and one of the finest manufacturers of Russian Silver of th...
Category
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Sterling Silver Repousse Butter Pat by S. Kirk & Son
Located in Troy, MI
In 1815 Samuel Kirk opened a neighborhood silver store in Baltimore, what would eventually become the Kirk Stieff Corporation, the oldest surviving, highly prestigious silver company...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Bowl by William B. Kerr
By Kerr
Located in Troy, MI
William B. Kerr was a manufacturer of flatware, hollow-ware & jewelry from 1880's - 1927 before it was absorbed by Gorham. They were well regarded for their Art Nouveau style in thei...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
1903 Antique Art Nouveau Hydrangea Repousse Sterling Silver Bowl by Alvin
Located in Troy, MI
Beautiful hydrangea's adorn this gorgeous Art Nouveau ( circa 1903 ) repousse bowl, pattern# 1082. Repousse is a method of hammered into relief from the reverse side in metalwork. Bo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Tea Caddy/Sugar Spoon #16892
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver tea caddy or sugar spoon in the Acorn pattern.
No monogram.
The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg ...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Large Gravy Ladle 7 3/4" #16890
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver gravy ladle in the Acorn pattern.
No monogram.
The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and de...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Acorn by GEORG JENSEN Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service for 12, 65 Pieces
By Georg Jensen
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
The "Acorn" pattern of sterling silver flatware was designed by Johan Rohde in 1915 for Georg Jensen and remains one of the most iconic Jensen patterns today. Johan Rohde is known f...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Art Nouveau Cherub Repousse Silver Water Pitcher and Platter
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Art Nouveau Design Featuring Naturalistic Fruiting 3-D Vines, Leaves and Roses. Ornate Handle with Cherub seated.
Ewer water pitcher hand crafted out of 900 Silver
Condition: Over a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Danish Silver Butterfly Sommerflugl Art Nouveau Dinner Spoon by Frigast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Danish silver dinner spoon.
In the Butterfly or Sommerflugl pattern.
By Frigast.
With Danish assay marks for 1919 and a minimum silver fineness of 826/1000. Marked for the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Whiting Sterling Co. 19th Century Flask
By Whiting
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Whiting sterling silver flask. Woman in a wave on front, dolphin near hinge, monogrammed with date on back, and hammered on sides and cap. 6 ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
10 Danish Silver Butterfly Sommerflugl Art Nouveau Demitasse Spoons by Frigast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 10 Danish silver demitasse spoons.
In the Butterfly or Sommerflugl pattern.
By Frigast.
With Danish assay marks for 1919 and a minimum silver fineness of 826/1000. M...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Jam Spoon 5 7/8" #15288
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver jam spoon by Georg Jensen Denmark in the Acorn pattern.
The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and designer Johan Ronde. Th...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ladies Pressed Glass and Sterling Flask
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Ladies pressed glass flask with sterling silver cap. Flask itself is made fully of glass with flat bottom. An elegant swirling design is shaped into the glass using a manual pressing...
Category
19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Hutshenreuther coffee service with sugar bowl. Art nouveau.
Located in Sežana, SI
Fine polychrome porcelain coffee service consisting of 6 cups enclosed in silver shells, delightfully crafted in art nouveau style, made by the Hutshenreuther company of Hohenberg, G...
Category
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Napkin Ring with Poppy Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Art Nouveau napkin ring.
In sterling silver.
With repousse poppy flowers on opposing sides flanked by two unengraved cartouc...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany & Co Makers Silver Soldered Tea Pot Floral Repousse, 8358
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Authentic Tiffany & Co. Makers silver soldered tea pot
Made in the repousse style, decorated with a floral motif
Produced under the directorship of Edward Moore (1875-1891)
Expertly ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Napkin Ring with Repousse Daffodil Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An antique heavy gauge American Art Nouveau napkin ring.
In sterling silver.
With bands of repousse daffodils to the top & bottom of the ring...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Tiffany Sterling Silver Claret Ladle Twist Handle
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful sterling silver claret ladle Chrysanthemum (circa 1880) Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880 by Charles Grosjean. Wit...
Category
1890s Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
1915 Sterling Silver 3"X 2.25"X 1/2" Antique English Snuff & Pill Box
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique English Snuff & Pill Box
All original with very minor dents or scratches, weighting 31.9 grams Vintage English Snuff or Pill Box, in excellent condition considering 100 y...
Category
1910s British Vintage Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Six Russian Parcel-Gilt Silver Demi Tasse Spoons, Moscow, circa 1900
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Set of six elegant solid silver Russian demi-tasse spoons from the ancient capital of Moscow, with flared and slightly curved handles, engraved exterio...
Category
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Wine Tasters
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Five 19th Century Sterling Silver Wine Tasters, two with identical fleur de lis designs and three with different geometric patterns, includ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Sterling Overlay Green Vase, American, C.1910
Located in Toronto, ON
Art Nouveau Sterling overlay green Vase, American C.1910. Tapered bulbous form, the lower section with art nouveau sterling overlay decorative surround, the green glass slightly tape...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Vintage Sterling Silver Nurse Buckle
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
An Outstanding quality Vintage Sterling Silver buckle. The buckle well solid made in classical style. English origin.
Height 52mm, width 86mm.
Weight 46.8gr.
Full Birmingham hallmark...
Category
1990s English Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Jugendstil W.M.F. Silver Plated Punch Bowl or Tureen with a Hunt Scene
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German Jugendstil punch bowl or tureen (or "Bowle" in German).
By W.M.F., the Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik.
In silver plate.
With a three-dimensional depiction of Dia...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver Plate
Georg Jensen, Sterling Silver Comport by Johan Rohde
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This rather beautiful sterling silver comport was made by Georg Jensen in a design by the famed craftsman Johan Rohde. The piece was first designed betw...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Art Nouveau Gorham Sterling Silver Pitcher or Ewer with Enamel Flowers
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extremely rare, antique Art Nouveau sterling silver & enamel pitcher.
By Gorham.
With a hand-hammered body having floral decoration to both sides.
The front side is decorated ...
Category
1890s American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Art Nouveau Bailey Banks & Biddle Sterling Silver Tulip Flower Bud Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique sterling silver bud vase.
In the form of a single tall tulip emerging from a monogrammed circular base.
Retailed by B...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Queen Margrethe Sterling Cup by Anton Michelsen
Located in Montreal, QC
Queen Margrethe sterling silver cup by Anton Michelsen, Denmark. It is hallmarked on the base. The cup measures 2 1/2 inches x 2 3/4 inches wide. It co...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Vine Pattern Berry or Serving Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Tiffany & Co. sterling silver serving or berry spoon.
With a gold wash to the bowl.
In the 'Vine' pattern with a conch shell shaped bowl and an embossed grape vine decorating the length of the handle.
Simply a great Tiffany serving spoon...
Category
20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Mappin & Webb Ornate Reticulated Repousse Sterling Silver Dresser Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English sterling silver dresser tray.
Made by Charles Engelhard for Mappin & Webb.
Struck CE for Charles Engelhard, Lion's heart, Lion rampant, C for 1898.
Simply ...
Category
1890s English Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Wine Bottle Holder
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
19th Century sterling silver wine bottle holder. German .800 silver wine bottle holder. Berlin, late 19th Century, H. Meyen & Co. W...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Sterling Silver Flask
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Vintage sterling silver flask with extendable shot glass lid. This wonderful flask features outstanding silver work of leaves and flowers...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling and Glass Decanter
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Beautiful 19th Century sterling and glass decanter with original stopper. Sterling overlaid glass with foliate and lattice design. Shows us...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Webster 1930's Sterling Silver with Maker's Mark Miniature Tong
Located in New York, NY
Webster 1930's of Mass., US, sterling silver miniature tong, with their iconic maker's mark engraved measures 3 1/8 inches by 1 inch, and a width measuring 1/2 inch. Made in USA.
Category
1930s American Vintage Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Cigar Case by Unger Brothers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare Unger Bros. sterling silver pocket cigar case.
With sections for 4 cigars and a gold washed interior.
The hinge and clasp are in good working order.
The side stamped with t...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Martele by Gorham Silver Six Piece Coffee and Tea Service with Tray 1905-1907
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
Martele by Gorham coffee and tea service. Consisting of a hot water kettle-on-stand, coffeepot, teapot, two handled sugar bowl, cream ju...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
Whiting Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Art Nouveau Liquor or Perfume Flask
By Whiting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful, antique sterling silver Art Nouveau flask by Whiting.
With a hand-hammered finish, scalloped sides, swirl decoration to the tops and bo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Sterling Silver
Archibald Knox Liberty & Co. Enamel Basket, English, circa 1900
Located in Toronto, ON
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co, English C.1900. Tudric pewter and turquoise enamel basket, pierced honesty leaf decoration, open work sides and base, the handle embellished with lea...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Danish Silver Butterfly Sommerflugl Art Nouveau Teaspoons by Frigast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of 2 Danish silver teaspoons.
In the Butterfly or Sommerflugl pattern.
By Frigast.
With Danish assay marks for 1919 and a minimum silver fineness of 826/1000. Marked f...
Category
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Materials
Silver
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