Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.
Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”
A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.
Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.
Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Postmodern Silver Plated Picture Frame by TsAO & McKown for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful postmodern silver-plated easel back frame. Designed by TsAO & Mckown for Swid Powell. Model no. 3310. Comprising a one-piece, welded easel b...
Silver Plate
Large Signed Cartier Sterling Silver Picture or Photo Frame with Engraved Cows
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique photo frame signed Cartier. In sterling silver. Engraved with 2 cows to the top. (Likely done a inscription of endearment!) With a robust easel back stand. Simply ...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hugs & Kisses Photo/Picture Frame for Mickey Rudin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver photo or picture frame. From the estate of Milton A. ‘Mickey’ Rudin, lawyer and confidant to Hollywood stars. With a gold & red enamel heart to the top center and an engraved dedication "Mickey Rudin" flanking it. Engraved to the left and right sides with "Hugs & Kisses to You" and a repeating "XOXOXO", and to the bottom "Love, Paula & Sam November 16, 1995". With a black easel...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Estate Keychain Sterling Silver
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiffany & Co Estate Keychain Sterling Silver TIF751 TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS!! FREE SHIPPING DETAILS Metal: St...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Estate Antique Buttons 1.625" Sterling Silver
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiffany & Co Estate Antique Buttons 1.625" Sterling Silver TIF667 These elegant Authentic Tiffany & Co Men's Antique Buttons are made of sterling silver and have a weight of...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Estate Men’s Sterling Silver Belt Buckle Sterling Silver
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiffany & Co Estate Men’s Sterling Silver Belt Buckle Sterling Silver TIF717 Magnificent condition. Newly polished and looks wonderful! Please see pictures for measurement's. ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Men's Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Sterling Silver money clip. Dimensions: 2.32 in. L x 0.85 in. W x 0.36 in. D - 59 mm. L x 22 mm. W x 10 mm. D Alex...
Sterling Silver
Midnight Blue Sterling Silver Vessel with Peridot by Designer Astral Vessel's
By Astral Vessels
Located in Boulder, CO
This perfectly tailored deep blue Vessel features a cap that we carved with a harlequin pattern using our antique Rose Engine. The top of the cap is inse...
Peridot, Silver, Titanium
Bownite and Enamel Fabergé Frame
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A jewelled gold-mounted bowenite and enamel frame, Fabergé, Michael Perchin, St. Petersburg, before 1899, the circular bowenite frame centred by translucent mauve bezel with applied ...
Diamond, Other, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Silver and Gold Steamer Trunk Case, Cartier for Cole Porter
By Cartier
Located in Riverdale, NY
Amazing and Rare Silver and Gold Steamer Trunk Case, by Cartier for Cole Porter. Cole Porter, one of Americas leading songwriters and bon vivants of the e...
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Cartier Art Deco Sterling Silver and Enamel Miniature Desk Timepiece circa 1920s
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful miniature desk timepiece, rectangular case with blue enamel, accented by silver bands, centering a circular brushed silvered dial with gilt Arabic numerals, dial signed Cartier, case signed European Watch and Clock...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Apple Mid-Century Modern Picture Frame Sterling Silver
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning and rare Cartier Sterling Silver Picture Frame in an Apple Motif. The frame is signed Cartier and is a fabulous Mid-Century Modern piece of vintage Cartier. I l...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985
Located in Long Island City, NY
Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) a rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3.5" wide Great condition. Ready...
Bronze
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Ashtray
Located in New York, NY
This Tiffany & Co. ashtray is crafted in sterling silver with a classic round, shallow bowl and a polished finish. The rim extends into a sculpted cigarette rest, adding a distin...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hand Money Clip Bookmark #26766
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hand Money Clip Bookmark This authentic vintage Tiffany clip features a hand with a patterned cuff. The clip can be used as a bookmark, paperclip, o...
Sterling Silver
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H 2.88 in W 3.88 in D 1.38 in
Tiffany & Co. 1995 Sterling Silver Atlas Groove Frame / Perpetual Calendar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine frame for a photo or perpetual calendar. By Tiffany & Co. From the Atlas Groove series. Copyrighted for 1995. With an added contemporary paper card backing and its origin...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Travel Folding Picture Frame
Located in Baltimore, MD
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Travel Folding Picture Frame Metal: Stelring silver 925 Weight: 43.3 grams Case dimensions: 43 x 56mm Picture dimensions...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Leaf Design Square Picture Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver picture or photo frame. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. With engraved leaf designs throughout. Marked to the base for ©2002 / Tiffany & Co. / 925 / Spain, and ...
Sterling Silver
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H 10.13 in W 8.13 in D 0.38 in
American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Photo or Picture Frame by Wallace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Mid-Century photo or picture frame. In sterling silver. By Wallace. Model No. 3127 Supported by a sturdy, black laminated easel back. Simply a terrific Modern fr...
Sterling Silver
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H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 0.38 in
American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Photo or Picture Frame by Lebkuecher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Mid-Century photo or picture frame. In sterling silver. By Lebkuecher & Co. Model No. 708 Supported by a sturdy, black laminated easel back. Simply a terrific Mo...
Sterling Silver
Miniature Asprey Sterling Silver Picture or Photo Frame
By Asprey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine miniature silver picture or photo frame. In sterling silver. With a red wooden easel back. Marked to the base with Asprey / Asprey's makers mark / 925 and English hallmarks...
Sterling Silver
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H 11.25 in W 8.63 in D 0.5 in
Large Signed Cartier Sterling Silver Mid Century Picture or Photo Frame
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique photo frame signed Cartier. In sterling silver. With a linear etched Art Deco engraved design to the sides. With a robust easel back stand. Simply an amazing frame...
Sterling Silver
Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Photo or Picture Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver frame. By Reed & Barton. With rounded corners & etched decoration to the sides. Simply a wonderful frame! Date: Early 21st Century Overall Condition: It ...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Vintage Agate Gold Picture Frame
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Designed by Mother Earth, this Cartier natural agate vintage picture frame is a visual gem. The 4' wide by 4 3/8" high slice of handsome agate has a 2 1/8" wide by 2 1/2" applied 18...
Agate, 18k Gold
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H 15.25 in W 12.5 in D 0.63 in
Very Large Signed Cartier Sterling Silver Mid Century Picture or Photo Frame
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique photo frame signed Cartier. In sterling silver. With a robust easel back stand. Simply an amazing frame! Date: Mid-20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overal...
Sterling Silver
Signed Cartier Sterling Silver Mid Century Picture or Photo Frame
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique photo frame signed Cartier. In sterling silver. With a robust easel back stand. Simply an wonderful frame! Date: Mid-20th Century Overall Condition: It is in over...
Sterling Silver
Small Vintage Cartier 14 Karat Gold Picture or Photo Frame
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful, small scale 14k gold picture frame by Cartier. The frame has elegant, simple lines and is perfectly proportioned for the image that is precious! The base is stamped Ca...
14k Gold