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 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, White Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterli...
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Geode, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Ster...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, White Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Quartz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k ...
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Sterling Silver, Yellow Go...
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 10k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 10k Gold
1990s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Tsavorite, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 1...
20th Century Portuguese Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Zircon, Amethyst, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Japanese Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Shakudo, Bronze, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium, Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver, Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, 9k ...
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling...
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Brown Diamond, Aquamarine, Morganite, 18k G...
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Beryl, Crystal, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1910s American Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Coral, Sterling Silver, Yellow...
1890s Antique Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
