Art Nouveau Necklace Faces
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Gold-filled
Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Antique 19th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage 1910s Belgian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Bronze, Gilt Metal
Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Spinel, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Turkish Art Nouveau Signet Rings
14k Gold, 22k Gold
Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 24k Gold, Silver
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Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
10k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold-filled
Antique 1890s Victorian Link Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1850s Unknown Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
Antique Early 19th Century British George IV Chandelier Earrings
Aquamarine, Topaz, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Early 20th Century Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Tourmaline, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Turquoise, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Turquoise, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Malachite, Rock Crystal, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Agate, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Agate, Quartz, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Base Metal
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Danish Art Nouveau Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Chalcedony, Citrine, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Jasper, Chalcedony, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Crystal, Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterli...
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Citrine, Chalcedony, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s French Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Necklace Enhancers
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1920s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Coral, Turquoise, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s British Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1880s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Diamond, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, 9k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unknown More Necklaces
Sapphire
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Chalcedony, Amethyst, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
Art Nouveau Necklace Faces For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Art Nouveau Necklace Faces?
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 Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.