Unisex Art Nouveau Ring
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Ruby, Star Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Beryl, Crystal, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Beryl, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Modern Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Band Rings
22k Gold
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Signet Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Turkish Art Nouveau Signet Rings
14k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s German Art Deco Fashion Rings
Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Wedding Rings
Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century French Vanity Items
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Post-War Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
Antique 19th Century British George III Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Arts and Crafts Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Base Metal
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Dome Rings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Cat’s Eye, Yellow Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1840s Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Blue Diamond
Antique Early 17th Century English Renaissance Solitaire Rings
Garnet, 22k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s European Victorian Fashion Rings
18k Gold
20th Century American Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Desk Accessories
Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Signet Rings
Carnelian
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Brown Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Signet Rings
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Deco Signet Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Band Rings
Chrysoberyl, Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Russian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique Late 19th Century Belle Époque More Rings
Turquoise, Gold
2010s Russian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Amethyst, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Star Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Band Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Russian Art Nouveau Band Rings
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Jade, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Jade, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Silver Plate, Silver
2010s German Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unisex Art Nouveau Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Unisex Art Nouveau Ring?
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 Rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.