Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
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.
2010s American Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Other, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Asian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Topaz, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Rose Gold
2010s Dutch Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Asian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1960s American Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Asian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
1960s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
1970s Indian Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Gold, Enamel
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s French Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Rose Gold
Early 2000s Israeli Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Amber, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, 24k Gold
2010s Asian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, Sterling Silver
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Silver
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Silver
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Tanzanite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, Silver, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Zircon, Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, Silver, Enamel