Art Nouveau Rings
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.
2010s German Art Nouveau Rings
Blue Sapphire, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Rose Gold, Silver, 14k Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1910s European Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Rings
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Chrysoberyl, Sapphire, Pin...
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Rings
22k Gold
2010s Belgian Art Nouveau Rings
Pink Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Go...
2010s Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Ster...
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k G...
20th Century French Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Silver, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
1910s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Moonstone, Gold, 22k Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1910s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Art Nouveau Rings
Moonstone, Silver
1910s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold
2010s European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Nouveau Rings
Tsavorite, Tanzanite, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1890s European Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Turkish Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
14k Gold, 22k Gold
1920s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
22k Gold
Late 20th Century French Art Nouveau Rings
Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
1930s European Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k G...
2010s French Art Nouveau Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
1930s European Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crysta...
Early 1900s Antique Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
