Sterling Locket Art Nouveau
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Pinchbeck, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Antique 1870s English Art Nouveau Rope Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Labradorite, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
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Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Edwardian More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Boxes and Cases
18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 10k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Necklace Enhancers
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century German Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Art Nouveau Necklace Enhancers
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Enamel Frames and Objects
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Sterling Locket Art Nouveau For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Sterling Locket Art Nouveau?
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.