Art Nouveau Earrings
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 Hong Kong Art Nouveau Earrings
Garnet, Spinel, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Peridot, Quartz, Topa...
1950s European Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Earrings
Agate, Diamond, Onyx, Jade, 18k Gold, Silver
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Gold Plate
1940s American Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Pearl, Crystal, Gilt Metal, Enamel, Gold
Early 2000s Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Zircon, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Art Nouveau Earrings
Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Earrings
Amethyst, Ruby, Tanzanite, Topaz, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Czech Antique Art Nouveau Earrings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Earrings
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Earrings
Other, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Quartz, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Earrings
Moonstone, Cat’s Eye, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Earrings
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Rock Crystal, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl...
1930s Finnish Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Hematite, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Earrings
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Russian Art Nouveau Earrings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Earrings
Quartz, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1890s German Antique Art Nouveau Earrings
Gold Plate
2010s Unknown Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
1990s German Art Nouveau Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl,...
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
1930s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold,...
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1960s German Vintage Art Nouveau Earrings
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow G...
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s German Antique Art Nouveau Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Tanzanite, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Earrings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Earrings
Ruby, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Coral, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Turquoise, White D...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphi...
