Art Nouveau 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.
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sil...
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Tsavorite, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Yello...
19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Central American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Tanzanite, Rhodium, Silver
2010s German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Crystal, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1910s American Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Central American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Tanzanite, Rhodium, Silver
1910s Belgian Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Crystal, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century North American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Chalcedony, Agate, Crystal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, T...
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Amethyst, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1950s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1890s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
1890s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, T...
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Agate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Marcasite, Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Gilt Metal, White Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Turquoise, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Marcasite, Quartz, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Larimar, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold