Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
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.
1980s French Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
2010s North American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Israeli Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Jade, Silver, Copper
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Brazilian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Brazilian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Crystal, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1930s Swiss Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Bronze
Late 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Gold
Late 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s British Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Jade, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century British Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
1930s Swiss Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Sterling Silver, Yellow Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Peridot, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphir...
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Jade
19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Moonstone, Emerald, Diamond, Enamel, Platinum, Yel...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel,...
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...