Art Nouveau Beaded 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.
Mid-20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Quartz
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
1970s German Vintage Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Carnelian, Citrine, Gold-filled, Enamel
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Pearl, Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Pearl, Silver
2010s Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Carnelian
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Pinchbeck, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Morganite, Peridot, 14k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, ...
Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Pearl, Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Quartz, Onyx, Amethyst, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Labradorite, Pearl, Aquamarine, Gold Plate
20th Century Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gol...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Silver
1950s American Vintage Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Spinel, Black Spinel
2010s Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
2010s Australian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
1960s American Vintage Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Base Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Agate
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Sterling Silver
1920s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphir...
2010s Colombian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphir...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Silver
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Citrine, Sapphire, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
