Art Nouveau 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.
2010s Unknown Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crysta...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, Tanzanite, Zircon, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Rhodiu...
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Ruby, Green Sapphire, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plat...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Zircon, White Gold, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Rock Crystal, Peridot,...
1930s Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s British Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Opal, 9k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Rings
White Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterlin...
2010s Zambian Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold
Mid-19th Century European Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond
2010s British Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1920s Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold
1940s Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Spin...
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Palladium
Early 18th Century Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Palladium
Early 2000s Unknown Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, White Diamond, Tourmaline
