Art Nouveau Drop 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.
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Agate, Chalcedony, Silver
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold,...
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Ruby, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gol...
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Enamel, Gold, 10k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Citrine, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Peridot, Oriental Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pear...
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, Enamel
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Asian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1950s American Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal, Cut Steel
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Base Metal
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Silver
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Zircon, Topaz, Rock Crystal, Garnet, Amethyst, Gilt Metal, Rhodium, Enam...
1970s Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate, Enamel
20th Century American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Enamel, Gold-filled
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate, Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1930s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Coral