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Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

ART NOUVEAU STYLE

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.

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Style: Art Nouveau
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Large Gravy Ladle 7 3/4" #16890
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver gravy ladle in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and de...
Category

20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Tea Caddy/Sugar Spoon #16892
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver tea caddy or sugar spoon in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg ...
Category

20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Danish Silver Butterfly Sommerflugl Art Nouveau Dinner Spoon by Frigast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Danish silver dinner spoon. In the Butterfly or Sommerflugl pattern. By Frigast. With Danish assay marks for 1919 and a minimum silver fineness of 826/1000. Marked for the ...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

10 Danish Silver Butterfly Sommerflugl Art Nouveau Demitasse Spoons by Frigast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 10 Danish silver demitasse spoons. In the Butterfly or Sommerflugl pattern. By Frigast. With Danish assay marks for 1919 and a minimum silver fineness of 826/1000. M...
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20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Jam Spoon 5 7/8" #15288
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver jam spoon by Georg Jensen Denmark in the Acorn pattern. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and designer Johan Ronde. Th...
Category

20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Napkin Ring with Poppy Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine American Art Nouveau napkin ring. In sterling silver. With repousse poppy flowers on opposing sides flanked by two unengraved cartouches. Marked to the interior Sterling /...
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Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Napkin Ring with Repousse Daffodil Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An antique heavy gauge American Art Nouveau napkin ring. In sterling silver. With bands of repousse daffodils to the top & bottom of the ring. Marked to the interior STERLING 1571...
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Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Six Russian Parcel-Gilt Silver Demi Tasse Spoons, Moscow, circa 1900
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Set of six elegant solid silver Russian demi-tasse spoons from the ancient capital of Moscow, with flared and slightly curved handles, engraved exterio...
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1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

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Silver

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Vine Pattern Berry or Serving Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Tiffany & Co. sterling silver serving or berry spoon. With a gold wash to the bowl. In the 'Vine' pattern with a conch shell shaped bowl and an embossed grape vine decorating the length of the handle. Simply a great Tiffany serving spoon...
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20th Century American Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Edwardian Solid Silver Sauce / Gravy Boat Made in 1915 UK
Located in Dordogne, FR
An Antique Edwardian silver sauce / gravy boat. Chester silver Fully hallmarked. Made by Nathan & Hayes in 1915. In very good condition. 98 grams With original box the box is faded ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Art Nouveau Shiebler Sterling Silver Napkin Ring with Winged Cherub
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Art Nouveau napkin ring By the George Shiebler Silver Company of Baltimore, Maryland. With raised winged cherub or putti heads to both the front and back (seemingly ...
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Late 19th Century American Antique Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Gorham Silver Gilt Palm Beach Spoons
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful dessert service: sterling silver large spoon and six individual spoons. Made by GORHAM. Heavy gauge silver, with gilt bowls and detailing. The handles are fully textured...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Vermeil, Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Sardine Serving Fork #16891
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver sardine serving fork in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jens...
Category

20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Danish Silver Butterfly Sommerflugl Art Nouveau Teaspoons by Frigast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of 2 Danish silver teaspoons. In the Butterfly or Sommerflugl pattern. By Frigast. With Danish assay marks for 1919 and a minimum silver fineness of 826/1000. Marked f...
Category

20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Flatware and Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

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Located in Mount Kisco, NY
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Acorn by GEORG JENSEN Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service for 12, 65 Pieces
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The "Acorn" pattern of sterling silver flatware was designed by Johan Rohde in 1915 for Georg Jensen and remains one of the most iconic Jensen patterns today. Johan Rohde is known f...
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Russian Imperial-era Silver Caviar Spoon by Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1913
Located in St. Catharines, ON
This Russian silver spoon was presented the year of the Romanov Tercentenary in 1913. Its fig shaped bowl with gilded interior, the exterior engraved with cipher above "Moscou, Septe...
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Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Italian Pattern Mustard Ladle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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Located in Washington Depot, CT
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Previously Available Items
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Sardine Serving Fork #16891
Located in Washington Depot, CT
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Set of 4 Antique German 800 Silver Lobster Picks by the Bremer Silberwarenfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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Located in Surfside, FL
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Located in Berlin, DE
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Located in New York, NY
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Located in New York, NY
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Located in New York, NY
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Whiting Sterling Mixed Metals Water Pitcher Circa 1885
Located in New York, NY
This pitcher is a magnificent example of Whiting Mfg. Company’s line of sterling and mixed metals pieces produced in the 1880’s in their Providence, RI workshop. The pitcher is sinu...
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Martele Silver Sauceboat on Stand, Providence, RI, 1905
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful and complete, this Gorham Martele Sauce or Gravy Boat on Stand was made in Martele’s .9584 Silver Standard in Providence, RI, 1905. A Gorham Mfg. Co. sterling silver ladle...
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