Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
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.
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s American Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Sapphire, 10k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Mexican Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Gold
1980s American Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
1890s Italian Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1930s German Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Citrine, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Jade, Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Gold Plate
1940s American Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Garnet, Silver
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Agate, Onyx, Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Mexican Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Gold Plate, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold
1890s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Chalcedony, Chrysophrase, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s English Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1930s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Rose Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel