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 Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Bracelets
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Bracelets
Silver Plate
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Bracelets
Brass
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Amethyst, Carnelian, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling...
2010s Zambian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Bracelets
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Geode, 18k Gold, Silver
1920s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s French Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Bracelets
South Sea Pearl, Opal, Fire Opal, Ruby, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Silver, Go...
1970s European Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
1910s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Opal, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Zircon, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yell...
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
2010s Greek Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1920s Czech Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
20th Century Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
2010s Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s American Art Nouveau Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Nouveau Bracelets
Spinel, Sterling Silver
1880s British Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Bracelets
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Bracelets
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Bracelets
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Bracelets
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
1920s American Vintage Art Nouveau Bracelets
Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Nouveau Bracelets
Sterling Silver
