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.
Postmodern Silver-Plated 'Cross Bowl' by Richard Meier for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful postmodern silver plated 'Cross Bowl" Designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Model no. 3411. Together with its original box and paperwork insert. Swid Powell was ...
Silver Plate
Sciarrotta Sterling Silver Mid-Century Modernist Oblong Footed Dish 94S #19429
By Alfredo Sciarotta
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage sterling silver oblong leaf footed bowl by Alfredo Sciarrotta, pattern #94S. Alfredo Sciarrotta, known for high quality and superior craftsmanship, retailed his pieces at ma...
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
Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver Dish by Rolf Lindståhl
Located in Lisboa, PT
Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver Dish by Rolf Lindståhl Sweden, 1978 Elegant sterling silver dish designed by Rolf Lindståhl and executed in Sweden in 1978. Crafted in 925/1000 s...
Sterling Silver
Wallace Silversmiths Grand Baroque Vintage Sterling Silver Gravy Bowl 4995
Located in Addison, TX
Beautiful Grande baroque by Wallace sterling silver gravy boat marked #4995. This gravy boat measures 3 x 6 in diameter and weighs 7.5 ounces (214.6 grams). It is not monogrammed an...
Sterling Silver
Gucci Sterling Silver Baby Cup (A)
By Gucci
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Gucci sterling silver baby cup. No monogram From the Tom Ford Era at Gucci, circa 1990's, this baby cup is engraved with "GUCCI BAB...
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
Buccellati Silver Double Handle Bowl
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Buccellati silver double handle bowl, circa 1900s A magnificent work of handmade sterling silver bowl, featuring double handles and flowers motif; marked Buccellati, Made in Italy, ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Modern Leaf Nut Candy Dish Set
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
These vintage Tiffany & Co. sterling silver mid-century modern leaf shaped nut or candy will make an elegant impression on any table scape. In a set of six, these accent dishes can ...
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
$485
H 1 in W 3.25 in L 4.75 in
Italian Modern Classical Sterling Silver Wine Taster Porringer by Buccellati
Located in Troy, MI
Classical sterling silver gift, made by Buccellati in Italy. The curved, round, shallow bowl with wide handle can be used for wine tasting. The perfect gi...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Revere Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 7.50 inches Height: 4.25 mm Weight: 429.69 grams Tiffany & Co. 925 sterling silver revere bowl 7.5". The ...
Silver, 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
$1,400
H 3.625 in D 2.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Baroque Style Sterling Silver Oval Repousse Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Beautiful handcrafted in sterling silver, one must appreciate the repousse craftsmanship displayed on this vanity jewelry box from the mid 20th century. In Baroque style, intricatel...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Antique 925 Sterling Silver Fruit Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 12.00 inches Height: 3.00 inches Weight: 845.00 grams Silver antique Tiffany & Co bowl. The metal was tes...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Art Deco Design Squirrel Bowl Silver
Located in Geneva, CH
Bowl stylizing a Squirrel in Silver 925/1000. Art Deco design. Dimensions: Length: 18.00 centimeters. Width (at maximum): 11.00 centimeters. Height: 1...
Silver
Cartier Handmade Sterling Silver Woven Mint Basket
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A Compact Masterpiece from a Legendary Maison Infuse your space with the heritage and refinement of this Cartier Handmade Sterling Silver Basket. Known for their impeccable craftsman...
Silver, 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