Art Nouveau 18 K Chain
Early 20th Century German Belle Époque Chain Bracelets
Pearl, Ruby, Opal, Garnet, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Rope Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Silver
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1920s Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Platinum
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Black Opal, Opal, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Belle Époque Brooches
Diamond, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Scarves
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1980s French Belts
Antique 1890s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, South Sea Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1980s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1960s Italian Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite,...
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s North American Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Rope Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Art Nouveau 18 K Chain For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Art Nouveau 18 K Chain?
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.
Read More
Art Nouveau Master Alphonse Mucha Created Much More Than Parisian Posters
Aside from his iconic commercial prints, the Czech artist endeavored to make works that spoke to the soul.
Everything You’d Want to Know about Enamel Jewelry
From vibrant to subtle, elegant to cheeky, enamel jewelry encompasses a wide range of colors and styles, and there are almost as many techniques for creating these distinctive pieces.
What Makes Art Nouveau Jewelry So Collectible?
The first art and design movement of the 20th century was all about celebrating beauty of women and nature.