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.
Lalique France Signed "Igor" Crystal Centerpiece Caviar Serving Set
By Lalique
Located in Tucson, AZ
Elegant and sculptural, this signed Lalique crystal caviar serving set exemplifies the Igor pattern’s mid‑century French glamour. The four‑part service features a heavy clear‑crystal...
Tiffany & Co. Josef Riedel Crystal Leaf Vine Centerpiece Bowl 16" Austria Made
Located in Dallas, TX
Graceful and sophisticated, this authentic Tiffany & Co. Josef Riedel Exquisite Crystal Centerpiece Bowl is expertly crafted from fine Austrian crystal and features an elegant etched...
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Cobalt Italian Glass Thumbprint Bowl 7" Signed
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Offered here is an authentic Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Cobalt Thumbprint Bowl, crafted in Italy from rich, hand-blown glass. This iconic design features Peretti’s signature orga...
Tiffany & Co. Archimede Seguso Murano Gold Bullicante Glass Bowl Signed With Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a timeless piece of Italian art glass to your collection with this authentic Tiffany & Co. Murano bowl, handcrafted by renowned Venetian glassmaker Archimede Seguso. Expertly cr...
Tiffany & Co. Josef Riedel Crystal Leaf Centerpiece Bowl 11" Austria Made w/ Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring timeless elegance to your home with this authentic Tiffany & Co. Josef Riedel crystal centerpiece bowl. Expertly crafted in Austria, this stunning bowl features an elegant etch...
Tiffany & Co. Joseph Riedel Crystal Bowl Diamond Glass Cut Pattern 8-inch
Located in Dallas, TX
Add timeless elegance to your home with this Tiffany & Co. crystal bowl, beautifully crafted with a diamond-cut glass pattern that reflects light brilliantly. This versatile piece wo...
Large Antique Sheffield Silver Plate Divided Serving Tureen & Dome Cover
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Sheffield silver plate service piece. A rare and complex serving vessel comprising a handled base with removable li...
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
$585
H 3.25 in W 4.5 in D 2.5 in Dm 3.75 in
Antique Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Double Handle Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Width: 4.50 inches Diameter: 3.75 inches Height: 3.25 inches Depth: 2.50 inches Weight: 144.58 grams Silver antique Ti...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Nut Candy Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 4.50 inches Weight: 121.25 grams Silver Candy Bowl. The metal was tested and d...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Heart Shaped Leaf Bowl or Vide Poche
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver bowl or vide poche. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the form of a leaf reminiscent of a heart. Marked to the base for Tiffany & Co. / Maker's / Sterling. S...
Sterling Silver
Set of Four Victorian Silver Salt Cellars
Located in London, GB
A set of four Victorian silver salt cellars, each designed as scallop shell bearing chased leaf decorations in the rim, with gold gilt interior and foliate design base, made by Danie...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Mid-Century Leaf Bowl and Matching Leaf Nut Dishes
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Tiffany & Co. Makers mid-century footed leaf bowl serving dish (one) and five matching individual nut dishes. Elevate your holiday events and dinner parties with this six piece set ...
Sterling Silver
$2,493
H 3.5 in W 9.25 in
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Tomato/Pumpkin Vine Pattern Salad Bowl 9.25" #16806
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver salad bowl in the Tomato or Pumpkin Vine pattern by Tiffany & Co. Designed by Olad Wilford in the Art Deco fashion for the NY World's Fair, featured in Tiffany's dis...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Heart Leaf Dish Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
A set of four Tiffany & Co. sterling silver dishes formed in a stylized heart or leaf shape with a sculptural raised center and decorative openwork handle. The softly contoured b...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Fish Server w/Mono 11 1/8" #15320
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver fish knife or server by Tiffany & Co in the Chrysanthemum pattern with monogram. Monogram appears to be B The Chrysanthemum pattern, designed by Charles T. Grosjean...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Gift Wrapped Design Pill Box Silver 925
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This vintage Tiffany & Co. hinged pill box is crafted in 925 sterling silver and features an elegant gift-wrapped design, showcasing the brand’s attention to detail and timeless...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Hermès Porcelain Trinket Bowl
By Hermès
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Hermès - (Made in France) Porcelain trinket bowl with a waterlily decoration. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 15 cm x 11 cm Seller Reference: ACC244
$3,850 / set
H 0.25 in Dm 3.13 in
Rare Set of 9 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Vine Pattern Butter Pats
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extremely rare set of sterling silver butter pats. In the Vine pattern decorated with raised poppies and other flowers around the rim's edge. By Tiffany & Co. Monogrammed to t...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.75 in W 6.88 in D 8 in
Vintage Signed Buccellati Sterling Silver Roses & Leaves Centerpiece Bowl
By Buccellati
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver centerpiece bowl. By Buccellati. In sterling silver. Designed by Ginamaria Buccellati. Comprising three rose leaves shaped as bowls and two applied figural rose bud...
Sterling Silver
Postmodern Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl Model No 23886
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Postmodern presentation or centerpiece bowl. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. Model No. 23886. The bowl with a naturalistic base comprised of stylized intertwined bran...
Sterling Silver
Postmodern Silver Plate Skyscraper Fruit Bowl by Richard Meier
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Offered here for your consideration is a fine silver plated fruit bowl. Additional Details: Model no. 3052. Designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Swid Powell was the highly a...
Silver Plate