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Art Nouveau Jewelry
A New Look For A New Century
 The term “Art Nouveau” originated in 1895, when an art gallery in Paris began featuring a new kind of art, “L’Art Nouveau.” The period was relatively brief, spanning less than twenty years, roughly from 1895-1910, but is nonetheless a significant time in the history of jewelry design.
The style of Art Nouveau jewelry takes from a number of different influences. One can be traced back to a group of artists during the mid-1800s that, in reaction to Europe’s preoccupation with botany, took the inspiration for their designs from nature and advocated a literal approach to art. Motifs such as orchids, irises, water lilies and trailing vines became common in jewelry produced in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Also important to the Art Nouveau period was the British Arts and Crafts movement during the 1880s, which championed expert handcraftsmanship and individual design in opposition to the increased mechanization and standardization of goods taking place during the Industrial Revolution. Impressionism was also largely influential during the Art Nouveau period, encouraging artists to focus on conveying nature in a sensual and emotionally charged way in their pieces, as opposed to merely creating a literal interpretation of a flower or animal. But most influential to the Art Nouveau movement was “japonisme,“ the European fascination with Japanese art and design that first developed in the 1860s following the International Exhibition of 1862, becoming a pervading theme in Art Nouveau jewelry in the form of brightly colored enamel, asymmetry and simple design.
Insects were a popular motif in Art Nouveau jewelry, especially the butterfly and dragonfly. Snakes, symbolizing life and sexuality also were popular in Art Nouveau jewelry. Birds in the form of peacocks and swans were also frequently used, as were landscapes, the female face and body, and mythical creatures such as mermaids, chimeras and dragons. More traditional styles were abandoned in favor of asymmetrical designs and the trademark “whiplash,” free-flowing curve often associated with Art Nouveau designs.
The materials used in Art Nouveau jewelry add to the ethereality of the pieces and were largely selected for their artistic appearance as opposed to their intrinsic value. Opal was a popular material in Art Nouveau jewelry, producing a soft, glowing, organic look. Also popular were moonstones, ivory, shell, and most importantly, enamel, which could achieve a variety of effects depending on the enameling method employed. Horn was also often used in Art Nouveau jewelry, and could be dyed, carved and striped into thin, translucent sheets.
With its offices located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Beladora (1-800-680-9569 or sales@beladora.com is recognized as one of the best sources of Art Nouveau jewelry on the Internet. Beladora is owned by Kazanjian Brothers, Inc., a company with almost a century of jewelry. At Beladora, we’re thrilled to be able to connect with customers through our website, bringing our carefully selected beautiful and unique pieces to jewelry lovers across the globe. In addition to carrying Art Nouveau jewelry, Beladora carries jewelry from the Retro, Art Deco, Victorian, Edwardian, Mid-century, Modern and Contemporary periods. You’ll find an extensive range of gorgeous necklaces and pendants, bracelets and rings, earrings and brooches.
Our Gift Boutique makes it easy to find the perfect present using your preferred price range to narrow down choices. And remember - keep checking our site periodically for new arrivals as inventory is constantly updated with our latest finds! For more information on Art Deco jewelry or to inquire about custom designs, please email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569 and thank you for visiting Beladora.com!
Art Nouveau Enamel Jewelry
 Enameling was an important technique used in Art Nouveau jewelry, introduced to European jewelers in the 1860s when Japanese art was exhibited to the European public for the first time.
One technique closely associated with Art Nouveau is the plique à jour technique, which resembles a stained glass window and is used in the jewelry without a backing such that it is translucent, making it popular in depicting certain things such as insect wings and water, but is extremely delicate and thus in-tact pieces are hard to find today.
Another enameling technique is the cloisonné technique, in which the enamel is separated by fine gold wire and then polished. A third technique found in Art Nouveau enamel jewelry is the basse-taille technique, where designs are engraved in metal and then covered with a transparent layer of enamel. Finally, the tqille d’ éterge method was also common, which is similar to the technique used in the basse-taille method, only the engravings in the metal are much deeper in the former.
Art Nouveau Enamel Jewelry: Art You Can Wear!
Enamel jewelry is highly collectible as a great deal of skill and craftsmanship was used to create these beautiful pieces of Art Nouveau jewelry, and thus Art Nouveau enamel jewelry is not easily replicated. Though the metal used as the backing is the prime consideration in determining the value of a piece of Art Nouveau enamel jewelry, the clarity of the colored enamel and the look of the design are equally important factors.
Beladora carries Art Nouveau enamel bracelets, necklaces, earrings and brooches. Our Gift Boutique makes it easy to find the perfect present using your preferred price range to narrow down choices. And remember - keep checking our site periodically for new arrivals as inventory is constantly updated with our latest finds! For more information on Art Nouveau jewelry or to inquire about custom designs, please email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569.
Art Nouveau Brooches
Brooches in the shapes of animals and insects were very popular during the Art Nouveau period. Materials such as opal, horn, shell, pearl and enamel were often used in these designs to achieve an iridescent, three-dimensional, organic quality that made the designs more sensual and fluid. Sometimes little springs were attached to the various appendages of these brooches so that they quivered, making the creatures depicted appear even more lifelike. Flowers also often appear in Art Nouveau brooches, often framed by twisting vines, the petals formed from semi-translucent enamel or carved shell, embellished with moonstone dewdrops. The designs of Art Nouveau brooches were often quite complex, the different pieces created separately and later assembled. Another unique characteristic of Art Nouveau brooches is that the backside of the brooches are also often beautifully designed as well.
Art Nouveau Brooches: Simply Stunning
Brooches, especially those depicting insects and animals, have recently made a popular comeback, and Art Nouveau brooches are a versatile investment. They can be worn traditionally on a collar or lapel, or to decorate a scarf, handbag or belt. Brooches can even be worn in the hair or strung around a chain and worn as a pendant. What makes Art Nouveau brooches special is that the jewelers of the Art Nouveau period were true artists and their creations are nothing less than remarkable works of art.
Beladora often carries a selection of brooches from the Art Nouveau period, as well as other periods. Beladora also carries Art Nouveau bracelets and Art Nouveau necklaces. Check back often as our selection of Art Nouveau jewelry changes daily! For more information email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569.
Beyond Art Nouveau Jewelry
Once you’re done looking through our collection of Art Nouveau jewelry, be sure to check out our other period collections, which includes pieces from the Art Deco, Retro, Victorian, Edwardian, Mid-century, Modern and Contemporary periods. You’ll find an extensive range of gorgeous necklaces and pendants, bracelets and rings, earrings and brooches.
Our Gift Boutique makes it easy to find the perfect present using your preferred price range to narrow down choices. And remember - keep checking our site periodically for new arrivals as inventory is constantly updated with our latest finds! For more information on Art Nouveau jewelry or to inquire about custom designs, please email sales@beladora.com or call 1-800-680-9569.
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