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.
Silver & Crystal Caviar Server “Enchantress of the Sea”-Handcrafted To Order
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
This exceptional sculptural caviar server, titled “Enchantress of the Sea,” is a celebration of maritime fantasy, refined craftsmanship, and ceremonial table art. At its heart is a d...
Crystal, Silver, 24k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Set of four Antique Austrian Shots Beakers solid 900 Silver / 142 gr
Located in SE
Handsome quadro of matching antique Austrian Imperial period Sterling Silver shots / glass / silver beakers or jiggers. Beautiful pieces with thick walls, internal gilding and hand -...
Silver
1915 Sterling Silver 3"X 2.25"X 1/2" Antique English Snuff & Pill Box
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique English Snuff & Pill Box All original with very minor dents or scratches, weighting 31.9 grams Vintage English Snuff or Pill Box, in excellent condition considering 100 y...
Sterling Silver
1905 - 1907 Two Helsingia Cups Enamel solid Gilt 830 Silver / 136 gr
Located in SE
Handsome Swedish hand - made pair with well decorated Cups with hand - engraved Enameled and Gilt ornaments on three ball shaped feet. Main detail - a variation coat of arms of Häls...
Silver, Enamel
Webster 1930's Sterling Silver with Maker's Mark Miniature Tong
Located in New York, NY
Webster 1930's of Mass., US, sterling silver miniature tong, with their iconic maker's mark engraved measures 3 1/8 inches by 1 inch, and a width measuring 1/2 inch. Made in USA.
Antique Art Nouveau Bailey Banks & Biddle Sterling Silver Tulip Flower Bud Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique sterling silver bud vase. In the form of a single tall tulip emerging from a monogrammed circular base. Retailed by B...
Sterling Silver
Two Art Nouveau Imperial Russian I.Khlebnikov Glass Holders 84Silver / 250gr
Located in SE
A pair of wonderful Art Nouveau-styled Russian 84 Silver Tea Glass Holders made in Moscow at the workshop of a very famous and one of the finest manufacturers of Russian Silver of th...
Silver
1918 Cup solid Gilt 830 Silver / 137 gr
Located in SE
Handsome Swedish hand - made Cup on three ball shaped feet. Thick and firm walls decorated with fruits and leaves ornaments both hammered and engraved. Swedish hallmarks confirming ...
Silver
1901 Two Art Nouveau Glass Holders solid 830 Silver / 320 gr
Located in SE
A pair of wonderful early Art Nouveau period Swedish Gilt Silver Tea Glass Holders made in Stockholm at the workshop of C.G. Hallberg - one of the finest manufacturers of Swedish...
Silver
1908 Art Nouveau Imperial Russian Bowl S.Shaposhnikov solid 84 Silver / 151gr
Located in SE
Russian Silver Bowl with continuous hand- engraved Art Nouveau styled floral decorations, hand - made between 1899 - 1908. Russian Imperial period 84 Silver hallmarks with a head of...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Black Starr & Frost Antique Fine Silver Overlay Crystal Decanter
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Magnificent antique cut crystal decanter with .999 fine silver overlay for Black Starr & Frost. This early century art nouveau style piece...
Silver
Whiting Sterling Silver Hand Hammered Art Nouveau Liquor or Perfume Flask
By Whiting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful, antique sterling silver Art Nouveau flask by Whiting. With a hand-hammered finish, scalloped sides, swirl decoration to the tops and bo...
Sterling 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...
Silver
Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Bowl by William B. Kerr
By Kerr
Located in Troy, MI
William B. Kerr was a manufacturer of flatware, hollow-ware & jewelry from 1880's - 1927 before it was absorbed by Gorham. They were well regarded for their Art Nouveau style in thei...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Fuchsia Sterling Silver Caddy/Sugar Spoon #19468
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver caddy or sugar spoon in the Fuchsia pattern by Georg Jensen. Designed by Georg Jenson in 1906, the Art Nouveau pattern features a floral design which was very popula...
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Tiffany Sterling Silver Claret Ladle Twist Handle
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful sterling silver claret ladle Chrysanthemum (circa 1880) Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880 by Charles Grosjean. Wit...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen, Sterling Silver Comport by Johan Rohde
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This rather beautiful sterling silver comport was made by Georg Jensen in a design by the famed craftsman Johan Rohde. The piece was first designed betw...
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Art Nouveau Silver Plated Flower Vases S. Anon. Orfévrerie Ercuis
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Pair of French Art Nouveau Silver Plated Flower Vases (1910-1920). Standing on foot, made fine French silversmith, adorned with geometrical patterns and vegetal ornamentation. In gre...
Silver Plate
Antique William B. Kerr Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gibson Girl Belt Buckle
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite 19th Century Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Brooch. This stunning brooch is crafted in sterling silver, featuring an intricate design of a woman's profile surrounded by flowin...
Sterling Silver
Antique Jugendstil W.M.F. Silver Plated Punch Bowl or Tureen with a Hunt Scene
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German Jugendstil punch bowl or tureen (or "Bowle" in German). By W.M.F., the Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. In silver plate. With a three-dimensional depiction of Dia...
Silver Plate
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 ...
Silver
1903 Antique Art Nouveau Hydrangea Repousse Sterling Silver Bowl by Alvin
Located in Troy, MI
Beautiful hydrangea's adorn this gorgeous Art Nouveau ( circa 1903 ) repousse bowl, pattern# 1082. Repousse is a method of hammered into relief from the reverse side in metalwork. Bo...
Sterling Silver
$935Sale Price|25% Off
Archibald Knox Liberty & Co. Enamel Basket, English, circa 1900
Located in Toronto, ON
Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co, English C.1900. Tudric pewter and turquoise enamel basket, pierced honesty leaf decoration, open work sides and base, the handle embellished with lea...
Enamel
Sterling Silver Repousse Butter Pat by S. Kirk & Son
Located in Troy, MI
In 1815 Samuel Kirk opened a neighborhood silver store in Baltimore, what would eventually become the Kirk Stieff Corporation, the oldest surviving, highly prestigious silver company in the U.S. Kirk silver, or “Baltimore silver” is instantly recognizable by its hand-crafted repousse technique – hammering the reverse side of silver to produce an intricate design in low relief -- which Samuel Kirk introduced to America in 1828. Customers especially desired his repousee tea services, bowls, and flatware with elaborate floral patterns and architectural images. Kirks’ reputation for meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design spread nationwide; famous assignments included renovating 550 pieces of gold...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Acorn Sterling Silver Coffee Spoon & Hors D'Oeuvres Fork #18329
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver coffee spoon and hors d'oeuvres fork in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration be...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn All Sterling Silver Pie Server #22987
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn All Sterling Silver Pie Server This beautiful pie server is crafted entirely in sterling silver and features a lightly hammered blade. The Acorn pattern w...
Sterling Silver
Art-Nouveau 1940's Silver Plated Claret Jug by Topazio Casquinha, Portugal.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Art-Nouveau 1940's Silver Plated Claret / Wine Jug Maker’s mark: Topazio Casquinha Portuguese hallmarks Height: 27cm Width (at the base): 13.5cm In beautiful condition
Silver Plate
Set of 6 German Art Deco .800 Solid Silver Cordial or Liquor Glasses
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 Art Deco silver cordials. Elegantly simple with diminutive cups, straight stems and a round foot. The bases are marked with .800 for the silver fineness, a moon an...
Silver
$5,950
H 20.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
Pair of Elkington & Co Neoclassical Revival Silver Plated Five-Light Candelabra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare pair of Victorian Neoclassical Revival silver plated candelabra by Elkington & Co. Each candelabrum has a fluted column that rests on three paw feet that also support anthemi...
Silver Plate
$235
H 2.13 in W 3.25 in D 4.25 in
Pair British Airways Concorde Sterling Silver Napkin Rings in the Original Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of English sterling silver napkin rings. Made for the Concorde supersonic airliner division of British Airways. Fully hallmarked to the back British Airways / London / Sterling / 1992 Simply a wonderful pair of collectible Concorde napkin...
Sterling Silver
$1,700
W 5.71 in D 3.94 in L 9.45 in
Antique European Pheasant Bird Board Table Decoration solid 835 Silver 271gr
Located in SE
Antique European table pheasant in solid 835 Silver dating to ca. 1930s -1940s . Realistically modeled in the form of a Pheasant hen with fine and sharp details reproducing realisti...
Silver
Imperial Russian 84 Silver Zolotnik Cordial Cups - set of 2#22631
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Imperial Russian 84 Silver Zolotnik Cordial Cups - set of 2 These beautiful set of two imperial Russian .817 silver cordial cups are hand engraved with etched geometric motifs hall...
Silver
Cartier Sterling Silver Hammered Carafe/Vase with Engraving
By Cartier
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage sterling silver carafe/vase by Cartier with engraving. Engraving says "WILLIAM P. SCHLOTH STARTED DECEMBER 26, 1955 AND GOING STRONG" ...
Sterling Silver
$2,700Sale Price|40% Off
Sterling Silver European Estate Rococo Hammered Frame with Cherubs
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Beautiful European Estate Rococo Sterling Picture Frame with Hand Hammered Embossed Cherubs holding Wreaths of Garland and Floral Motifs. Sign...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Tazza or Footed Comport Attributed to John R. Wendt, circa 1870
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This rather glorious sterling silver tazza or footed comport was likely made by John R. Wendt in the 1870s. The figural piece features a stepped circula...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$9,374
H 10.44 in W 11.62 in L 21.93 in
Big and Heavy Sterling Silver Fruit, Flower Bowl, Basket, Hazorfim, Judaica
Located in Berlin, DE
Big and very heavy sterling silver fruit bowl, basket. Hazorfim. Beautiful decoration object.
Silver, Sterling Silver
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
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Matchbox Holder & Ashtray Set
Located in Sewickley, PA
This Tiffany & Co. sterling silver matchbox and ashtray set is a refined example of the brand's elegant decorative craftsmanship. The set includes a rectangular matchbox holder and a...
Sterling Silver
$792Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.75 in L 4 in
Antique Norwegian Silver Cloisonné Enamel Demitasse Cup & Saucer Set
Located in New York, NY
A rare and exquisite find for collectors of fine European silver and decorative arts, this Antique Norwegian Silver and Cloisonné Enamel Demit...
Silver, Enamel
Sold
W 1.5 in L 10.5 in
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Handle Cake Knife w/Engraving #22988
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Handle Cake Knife with Engraving Engraved Amy & Peter April 1, 1967 The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between G...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Curved Handle Baby Spoon #21187
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver curved handle baby spoon in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen an...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Sterling Silver Handle Acorn Cheese Plane #21189
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver handle stainless blade cheese plane in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Geor...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Handle Cheese/Bar Knife #19465
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver handle stainless blade cheese/bar knife in the Acorn pattern by Georg Jensen. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and de...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn 830 Silver Grapefruit Spoon #19464
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
830 silver grapefruit spoon in the Acorn pattern by Georg Jensen, circa 1926. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and designer Johan Ron...
Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Handle Cheese Knife #19467
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver handle stainless blade cheese knife in the Acorn pattern by Georg Jensen. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen and design...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen & Wendel Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Large Gravy Ladle #18620
By Georg Jensen
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...
Sterling Silver
Set of 4 Assorted Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Spoons #18623
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 4 Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver assorted spoons in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collaboration between Georg Jensen a...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.5 in W 3.12 in L 3.25 in
Georg Jensen Acorn Sterling Silver 4 Salt Dip Cellars 2 Master Salt Spoons 18622
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Georg Jensen Denmark sterling silver 4 salt dip cellars and 2 Master salt spoons in the Acorn pattern. No monogram. The Acorn pattern was introduced in 1915 as a collabora...
Sterling Silver
Trio of Antique Etched Glass Repousse Silver Vanity Vessels
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Enjoy this stunning three piece set of German-made antique etched glass and silver repousse vessels as a beautiful addition your vanity set or as ...
Silver
Tiffany & Co Vintage Sterling Silver Thistle & Clover Bowl
Located in Baltimore, MD
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your collection with this beautiful Tiffany & Co. sterling silver bowl. The intricate thistle and clover pattern in the Art Nouveau style is sure t...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Acorn Sterling Silver Large Gravy Ladle 7 3/4" #16890
By Georg Jensen
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 designer Johan Ronde. The pattern, which combines Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, has become a timeless classic. This beautiful large ladle...
Sterling Silver