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 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Natural Pearl
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Garnet, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold Plate
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Gold, Platinum, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Early 1900s European Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Base Metal
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Nouveau Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
1930s French Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1890s Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Necklaces
Amethyst, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Necklaces
Silver
1920s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Silver
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Gold-filled
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold
2010s Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Carnelian, Citrine, Gold-filled, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Gilt Metal, White Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel