Art Nouveau Silver Flatware
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver Bowls
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Silver Bowls
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Vases
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Vases
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Silver
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Silver
Antique 19th Century Art Nouveau Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s Portuguese Art Nouveau Pitchers and Decanters
Silver Plate
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Silver Bowls
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Silver Bowls
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Vases
Silver
Vintage 1920s American Art Nouveau Barware
Silver
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s American Art Nouveau Barware
Antique Early 1900s Russian Russian Empire Coffee and Tea Sets
Silver
Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Nouveau Platters and Trays
Silver
20th Century Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
2010s European Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Nouveau Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s British Art Nouveau Centerpieces and Tazzas
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate
Silver
Antique 19th Century American Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Barware
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Coffee and Tea Sets
Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Serving Bowls and Tureens
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Tableware
Sterling Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century American Art Nouveau Pitchers and Decanters
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century North American Art Nouveau Flatware and Servin...
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century German Art Nouveau Serving Pieces
Metal, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Tableware
Silver
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century German Art Nouveau Serving Pieces
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century German Art Nouveau Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Argentine Art Nouveau Tableware
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Serving Pieces
Metal, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Tableware
Sterling Silver
20th Century German Art Nouveau Serving Pieces
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century German Art Nouveau Serving Pieces
Metal, Silver Plate
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century German Tableware
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Tableware
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
20th Century German Art Nouveau Sheffield and Silverplate
Chrome
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
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Art Nouveau Silver Flatware For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Art Nouveau Silver Flatware?
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.