Aldrich Arts Jewelry

Art Nouveau jewelry generally featured three main themes: flora, fauna and women. The Art Nouveau movement lasted 15 years and it reached its pinnacle in the year 1900. 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. Enameling is most often associated with Art Nouveau jewelry, specifically plique-à-jour. Known as backless enamel, plique-à-jour allows light to come through the rear of the enamel because there is no metal backing. It creates an effect of translucence and lightness. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Art Nouveau jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.

Art Deco jewelry was popular during the design movement of the 1920s and 30s. Art Deco jewelry is typically characterized by geometric patterns and gemstones of contrasting colors.

There are many differences between Edwardian and Art Deco jewelry. Antique Edwardian jewelry is named for King Edward VII of Great Britain, who ruled from 1901 until 1910, while the Art Deco period emerged later. Jewelry created in the Art Deco style was made during the 1920s and ’30s. During the Edwardian era, pearls were more valuable than diamonds, and jewelry was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron. Cartier also created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined Art Deco, an era that saw designers drawing on Egyptian adornment and African art, and accessories featuring jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. Shop antique Art Deco and Edwardian jewelry on 1stDibs.