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.
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
2010s North American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Garnet, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Enamel
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Crystal, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
1910s American Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Agate, Fire Agate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s North American Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Art Nouveau Necklaces
Opal, Black Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Chalcedony, Agate, Crystal, Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Central American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Tanzanite, Rhodium, Silver
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
