Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
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.
19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Afghan Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Gold-filled
2010s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
2010s Afghan Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Portuguese Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
White Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
2010s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Coral, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Zambian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sterling...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Brazilian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Tanzanite, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Spanish Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Crystal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Canadian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Tanzanite, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Israeli Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Brazilian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Brazilian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold