Nouveau Opal
Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Brooches
Crystal, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Opal, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Opal, Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Brooches
Crystal, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Natural Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Opal, Black Opal, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s North American Art Nouveau Brooches
Opal, Enamel
Early 2000s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1910s British Art Nouveau Link Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 15k Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Black Opal, Opal, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amber, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Opal, Ruby, Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Opal, Base Metal
Antique 1890s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver, Enamel
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Dangle Earrings
Opal, Black Opal, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s German Artisan Bridal Rings
Crystal, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Tanzanite, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
2010s French Aesthetic Movement Drop Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Tanzanite, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Tanzanite, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Opal, Tanzanite, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond,...
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, Silver
2010s French Artisan Fashion Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Sapphire, Ruby, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Emerald...
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Nouveau Opal For Sale on 1stDibs
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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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The first art and design movement of the 20th century was all about celebrating beauty of women and nature.