Art Nouveau 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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Gold Plate
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Silver, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Gold Plate, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s Danish Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Amber, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Turquoise, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Amethyst, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Garnet, Silver
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Cu...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sapphire, 10k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Emerald, Coral, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Art Nouveau Bracelets
Rose Gold
1910s Spanish Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Peridot, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Spanish Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
2010s European Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Aquamarine, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Bracelets
Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Cat’s Eye, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
1920s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Bracelets
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Bracelets
Brass
20th Century French Art Nouveau Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Peridot, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
