Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s European Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century European Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Aquamarine, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Silver, Gold Plate, 22k Gold
20th Century Thai Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Zircon, Tourmaline, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1910s European Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Opal, 9k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 9k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Peridot
Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1910s European Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
1990s American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1920s Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Blue Zircon, Mandarin Garnet, Zircon, Garnet, Tourmaline, Green Sapphire...
1890s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
1890s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Zircon, White Gold, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1910s European Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Natural Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Pink Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, White Gold, 18k ...
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Emerald, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, 10k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Coral, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Ruby, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond
Early 2000s Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s American Vintage Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Pearl, Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
