Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
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.
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
1980s German Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Sa...
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Cu...
1970s German Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow G...
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling ...
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Coral, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Amethyst, Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s French Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s European Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold...
Early 1900s British Antique Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Amethyst, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
1910s Unknown Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Amethyst, Carnelian, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Amethyst, Citrine, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pear...
Late 20th Century French Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pear...
1890s Welsh Antique Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Platinum
1890s Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
