Art Nouveau Jewelry Virgin
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Enamel, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
2010s American Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold
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Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Byzantine Dome Rings
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20th Century French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
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Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
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21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modernist Pendant Necklaces
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Antique Early 1900s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
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Antique Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
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Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
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20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
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Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Bridal Rings
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Revival Fashion Rings
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20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
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American Drop Necklaces
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Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Wedding Rings
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Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
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Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
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Vintage 1920s Russian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
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Art Nouveau Jewelry Virgin For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Art Nouveau Jewelry Virgin?
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.
- What is Art Nouveau jewelry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Art 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.