Art Nouveau Fashion 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.
1930s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Gold Plate
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s British Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Peridot, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Alexandrite, Opal, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, Zircon, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, S...
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Zircon, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1990s Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Vintage Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Tsavorite, Zircon, Spinel, Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Brown Diamond, Yel...
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Ruby, Onyx, Diamond, Silver, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Tanzanite, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1910s European Vintage Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Alexandrite, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Tsavorite, Tourmaline, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, 18k...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Chrome Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Turquoise, Moonstone, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Beryl, Aquamarine, Sterling Silver, Silver, Gold Plate
