Art Nouveau More Bracelets
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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Rock Crystal, Emerald, White Diamond, Dia...
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Amber, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yell...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Black Diamond, Silver
1930s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Amber, Silver
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Quartz, Emerald, White Diamond, Di...
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau More Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Exce...
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Silver Plate
2010s Unknown Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Topaz, Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, Amethyst, 9k Gold, Silve...
2010s Israeli Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, B...
Early 19th Century Indian Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Multi-gemstone, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Rock Crystal, Emerald, White Diamond, Dia...
2010s Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Malachite
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Sa...
Early 1900s Italian Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Antique Art Nouveau More Bracelets
14k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau More Bracelets
Jade, Yellow Gold