Art Nouveau Pendant 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 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling ...
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Freshwater Pearl, Pyrite, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
1910s Russian Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Ruby, 14k Gold
1930s German Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Citrine, Gold, Silver
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
19th Century British Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Sterling Silver
1910s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver, Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Dutch Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Jade, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Jade
1940s Russian Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amber, Silver, Sterling Silver
1890s European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver
20th Century Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Tsavori...
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 1900s Georgian Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Brass
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
1970s English Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold
Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver, 10k Gold, Vermeil
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century Russian Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Jade, Black Jade, Silver