Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau defines a style, especially in the decorative arts, that was flourishing during the years 1890 to the beginning of World War I. Art Nouveau (French for "new art") started in Paris and soon swept across Europe and America. It was applied mainly in the decorative arts, including a range of visual arts such as posters (Alfons Maria Mucha), furniture, jewelry, and architecture (Gaudí in Barcelona).

Reacting against mass production techniques, Art Nouveau artists reverted to manual methods of production, putting a strong emphasis on aesthetics and ornamentation. Flowing lines and curves, and asymmetrical shapes, were characteristic of the style. Art Nouveau artists and designers adopted motifs from the natural world – intertwining branches, butterflies, dragonflies, and above all female figures, female faces, and flowing luxurious hair. The style was strongly influenced by Japanese art.

In Art Nouveau jewelry, female faces were decorated with gemstones, mainly curved stones such as opals and moonstones. Beautiful and aesthetic, the jewelry of the time included necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings, and brooches.