Art Nouveau is an international movement and style of architecture and art, which was most popular around the turn of the 20th century. Art Nouveau is French for 'new art'. In Germany it is called 'Jugendstil', which translates as 'youth style'. In Italy it is known as 'Stile Liberty' after the department store Liberty & Co. in London. It uses floral and other plant-inspired themes, and flowing curves. Art nouveau was greatly influenced by Alphonse Mucha, after he designed a poster which was displayed in Paris to advertise the Victorien Sardou play Gismonda. It created a stir, and brought a new style of art to the Parisians. At first it was called the Style Mucha, but was soon re-named Art Nouveau.
Major art nouveau figures include Gustav Klimt of Austria, Antonio Gaudi of Spain, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec of France, Alphonse Mucha of Czechoslovakia, Louis Comfort Tiffany of America and Charles Rennie Mackintosh of Scotland.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a major exponent of art nouveau and was a designer from Glasgow. He made his mark not only on jewellery, but also on buildings and furniture. His work is still displayed in museums and his jewellery designs are still copied today. French designer Rene Lalique also designed art nouveau jewellery.
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 Antique 14K Engagement Ring Mounting .75-1 Ct. for Diamond Art Nouveau Edwardian  US $650.00
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 ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU 3 3/4" GOLD JEWELRY ENGAGEMENT ANNIVERSARY RING BOX SILK OLD US $7.00
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 Antique Art Nouveau Jewelry/Engagement Ring Gold Casket Box Weidlich Bros. US $85.00
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 $2800 Art Nouveau 14k Gold 1/3ct F-SI Genuine Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring US $1,900.00
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Art nouveau jewellery has feminine designs that have sweeping curves. Ring designs were based on flowers, insects, plants, and other animals and lines were soft and feminine. Metals used in the ring designs were gold, platinum, and silver. Designs had Asian influences and Celtic symbols were also used.
Stones such as agate, amethyst, amber, garnet, and opals were popular in the art nouveau era. Diamonds were not used very often in art nouveau jewellery .
Art deco and art nouveau are two styles which are often confused. Art deco rings have a more bold and angular design than art nouveau rings. During this period butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, irises and water lilies were also popular in jewellery designs. Opals, moonstones peridots and citrines were also used in art nouveau jewelry. Other materials such as copper, ivory, glass, and shells were all used in art nouveau jewellery designs.
Today, the large numbers of people drawn to antique engagement rings and the romantic and unusual design of art nouveau jewellery means that it is very popular and is in short supply. This in turn means that it is expensive to buy. It is however, an investment and a work of art and is sure to make the wearer feel very special. When you are eventually on your dream honeymoon in Hawaii, you will not feel embarrassed about wearing a poor quality engagement ring when the hawaii wedding photographer takes a close-up of your hands!
