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.
1910s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Ruby, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Sapphire, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel, Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Silver
2010s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Beryl, Emerald, Green Beryl, Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold
1930s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Silver
1890s Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
2010s Turkish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Silver, Gold-filled
2010s Turkish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Crystal, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Onyx, Pearl, Cultur...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Tsavori...
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Fire Agate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Agate, Diamond, White...
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Rhodolite, Silver, Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Norwegian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver
1860s Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Russian Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s African Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver, Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold