Art Nouveau Cocktail 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.
Early 2000s Dutch Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1920s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Platinum
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Tourmaline, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yello...
2010s Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 14k Gold
19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Garnet, Silver, Gold Pl...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Ruby, Amethyst, Silver, Gold P...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Ster...
20th Century French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Carnelian, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Rhodolite, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Quartz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century British Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s European Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Spanish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Ster...
1990s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Zircon, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
1910s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
20th Century American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Black Opal, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Enamel, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Gold
20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Zircon, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Aquamarine, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold