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.
Diminutive Kay Ivankovic Sterling Silver & Opal Gemstone Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful 1980's handmade sterling silver vase. By Kay Ivankovic. Kay Ivankovic, the high-level contemporary British silversmith, is known for her flowing, organic forms. This hand-chased vase...
Opal, Sterling Silver
Pampaloni mini sterling silver vase
Located in Perugia, IT
Small vase made of 925/ooo silver, produced by Pampaloni Firenze Italy. Weight g 70, diameter cm 7, height cm 3.8. Surface with glossy finish, clear reference to the Troia collecti...
Sterling Silver
Antique Persian Zoroastrian Parsi Parsee "Muktad" Silver Vase, 1900
Located in OVIEDO, AS
PERSIAN Zoroastrian Parsi Parsee "Muktad" Silver Vase Ca. 1900 Chased in a Shiraz-Persian style (a linkage back to the Parsees’ Zoroastrian roots in Persia). This beautiful vase from the Qajar Dynasty era (1785 to 1925) is originated in Shiraz, a southwest city in Persia and the home of the Achaemenid Persian Empire founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great...
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
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
$1,500Sale Price|80% Off
Exquisite Museum Quality Pair Sevres Porcelain Cobalt Blue Bronze Vases Urns
Located in New York, NY
The Following Items we are offering are A Rare Pair of 19th Century Sevres Style Cobalt Blue Porcelain Ground Vase with Gilt Mounting. Each Finely Detailed with Beautiful Portraits o...
Bronze
Antique Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Trumpet Bud Vase 17613 #19618
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver trumpet bud vase by Tiffany & Co. No monogram or engraving. A beautifully simple and elegant trumpet shaped footed vase. Hallmarks date this piece to manufacture un...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Unusual Sterling and Copper Vase
Located in Riverdale, NY
Late Victorian sterling vase by Tiffany & Co. The body of this sterling vase has been overlaid in copper upon which another layer of silver has been added. 4 ornate etched floriform...
Sterling Silver, Copper
Signed Otto Wolter German Modernist Sterling Silver Flower Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German Modernist flower vase. In sterling silver. By the renowned German silvermith, Otto Wolter. The vase with a wirework neck and a teardrop body supported by an oval sca...
Sterling Silver
$1,500Sale Price|50% Off
Exquisite Antique European Emerald Diamond Cut Facet Glass Vase with Maidens
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Beautiful and Rare Exquisite Hand Cut Glass Vase of Elongated ovoid Form decorated with Gilt Highlighted Classical Figures on a Swirling Groun...
Crystal, Gold
Emile Galle Art Deco Vase
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Emile Galle Art Deco Vase Beautiful Art Deco piece that was made in France in the 1930s An overlaid and etched glass vase, cameo signature G...
$2,625Sale Price|65% Off
Rare Important 19th Century Museum Qty 3 Piece Russian Sterling Silver Tea Set
By Unbranded
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item that we are Offering is this RARE 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver Tea Set. Each Piece is Stamped and Signed "84" and Labeled 1901. Set is Outstandingly done w...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco La Pierre Babylonian Mixed Metals Sterling Silver & Copper Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Art Deco mixed metals vase. From the La Pierre Manufacturing Company's 'Babylonian' line. In sterling silver and copper. Consisting of a copper body with a wide sterling silver neck and rim and a sterling silver ferrule. With a lovely burnt red-orange patina to the copper. Founded in 1885 in New York City by Frank H. LaPierre, the LaPierre Manufacturing Company were makers of high quality sterling silver wares...
Sterling Silver, Copper, Mixed Metal
Rare Exquisite Estate Art Deco Four Seasons Amber Frosted Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Beautiful Czechoslovakian Amber Colored Four Seasons Frosted Glass Vase of Round Oval Form decorated with Four Beautiful Women Adorned on all ...
Crystal, Amber, Gold, Bronze
Baccarat Crystal Ginko Vase, France
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
With original box in new condition. This beautiful form was inspired by the Ginko Bilboa leaf, a much admired shape which perfectly lends itself to a lovely display of flowers in a f...
Crystal
Large Classic Baccarat Crystal Nelly Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
One of Baccarat's classic designs and no longer available at Baccarat except by special order, this largest of the Nelly vase line is perfect for roses, peonies and orchids. Excellen...
Crystal