Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.
Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”
A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.
Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.
Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
1889 Goblet Cup solid 830 Silver / 70 gr
Located in SE
Handsome Swedish hand - made Cup with thick and sturdy walls decorated with hand- éngraved monogrammed cartouche. Swedish hallmarks confirming at least 830 Silver alloy,three crow...
Silver
Large Mexican Sterling Silver Hand-Hammered Tray by Platería Artística, 1012g
Located in Plantation, FL
Substantial and visually striking sterling silver tray crafted in Mexico by Platería Artística, executed in solid .925 silver and weighing approximately 1012 grams. The tray features...
Sterling Silver
Silver Plate Skyscraper Plate or Tray by Richard Meier for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver plated plate or tray. Designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Swid Powell was the highly acclaimed New York City based tableware company founded by Nan Swid...
Silver Plate
Large Silver Plate Charger or Tray by Richard Meier for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine large silver plated charger or tray. Designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Model no. 417. Together with its original box. Swid Pow...
Silver Plate
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver 5 Piece Tea Service in Pattern 80
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A five-piece tea and coffee service in sterling silver with ebony handles and finials in Georg Jensen's pattern 80, designed in 1915, hallmarked for a post-1945 manufacture. While Jensen's reverence for traditional Danish design and interest in themes of nature were often married in equal part to the popular Art...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Art Deco Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver and Crystal Vanity Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The set includes Tiffany & Co sterling serving tray, it is stamped with serial number 21253, q-tips jar, cotton balls jar, pill box, perfume bottle and tooth brush...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Set of 4 Gianmaria Buccellati Sterling Silver Plates #21025
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 4 sterling silver plates by Gianmaria Buccellati. These small plates features a smooth polished finish with a globe design at the center of each plate. Measures approx 5 3/8...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Heavy Tiffany Co Pat 1869 Deco Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Brand Tiffany& co Type Spoon Material Sterling Silver Metal Purity 925 Spoon Length 7.5'' Long Weight 47.3gr Condition Mint
Sterling Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver 23159 Leaf Side Dish
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Length: 6.00 inches Width: 5.25 inches Weight: 117.50 grams Silver mid-century Vintage Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Si...
Silver, Sterling Silver
A Rectangular Fabergé Cut Glass & Silver Tray
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A rectangular Fabergé cut glass & silver tray, silver circular laurel wreath and bow handles, fluted silver rim with a cross relief on either side, cut glass tray...
Silver
Russian Silver Plate Samovar with Tray Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- The set is made out of silver plate with celluloid/ bone details - The samovar features floral & geometric motifs - The tray stamped with makers marks that are a little worn off (З...
Silver Plate
Twelve Georgian Sterling Silver Soup Plates
Located in London, GB
Twelve Georgian sterling silver soup plates, six with the mark of Richard Carter, Daniel Smith, and Robert Sharp, London, 1778, five with t...
Sterling Silver
$2,250
H 2 in Dm 22.5 in
Very Large Antique Victorian Period Sheffield Silver Plate Salver or Round Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very large, Victorian period Sheffield silver plate salver. With a gadrooned piecrust rim, richly engraved center, and ornate bracket...
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
$1,250
H 0.5 in W 6.5 in L 17 in
Postmodern Rectangular Silver Plate Bar Tray by Richard Meier for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A postmodern silver-plated rectangular tray. Designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Model no. 3416. Together with its original box. Swid Powell was the highly acclaimed New Y...
Silver Plate
A set of twelve Regency silver dinner plates by Paul Storr
By Paul Storr
Located in London, GB
A set of twelve Regency silver dinner plates by Paul Storr, the twelve plates each with a gadroon border embellished with six cartouche motifs alternating with six shell and acanthus...
Silver
Paula Wyman Art & Crafts Hand-Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine hand-hammered Arts & Crafts footed dish or bowl. With a lobed-hand-hammered bowl mounted on a shaped foot. In sterling silver. Made by the American female silversmith Pa...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Chippendale Style Salver
Located in London, GB
A sterling silver chippendale style salver on three feet, 10"diameter (26cms), maker E.Viner, Sheffield 1959, 17.6ozs (547.3gms). Should you choose ...
Sterling Silver