Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
1910s Danish Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, Platinum
1910s British Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Amethyst, 15k Gold
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Turquoise, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Czech Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Base Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Silver, Ye...
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Pearl, Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
Early 1900s Chinese Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Coral, Silver
Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Moonstone, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Pearl
1910s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold
1860s French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Brass
Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
14k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Citrine, Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Emerald, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Citrine, Garnet, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Silver
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Jade, Tourmaline, Silver, Gilt Metal
1880s American Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Silver, Enamel
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1910s British Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Opal, Gold, 15k Gold
1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Moonstone
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Art Nouveau Necklace
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
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Antique Art Nouveau Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Art Nouveau Necklace?
A Close Look at art-nouveau Jewelry
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.
Finding the Right Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bvlgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.