Art Nouveau Sterling Enamel
Antique 1890s American More Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Enamel Frames and Objects
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century German Late Victorian Enamel Frames and Objects
Silver, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s English Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century American Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Arts and Crafts Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s British Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1920s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Vermeil, Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1960s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Napoleon III Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s German Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s Norwegian Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Boxes and Cases
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 19th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Brooches
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1920s British Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Brooches
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Edwardian Brooches
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Steel, Sterling Silver
20th Century Engagement Rings
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Vases
Enamel, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Vanity Items
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s Russian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Silver
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Italian Art Deco Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s German Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1960s Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Lever-Back Earrings
Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Pinchbeck, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Gold Plate, Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Vanity Items
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Turquoise, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Yellow...
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k...
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Edwardian Desk Accessories
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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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.
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Aside from his iconic commercial prints, the Czech artist endeavored to make works that spoke to the soul.
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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.