Antique Jewelry: Art Nouveau Bracelets

Art Nouveau bracelets showcase the highly-valued craftsmanship of the time period. Bracelets, bangles and cuffs of handwrought gold or silver reflect the emphasis on art over material.

Art Nouveau bangles were often intricately and deeply carved, usually with nature motifs such as flowers, leaves and swirling vines. Other bangles are of simpler, polished gold, with a central decorative plaque of Limoges enamel. Some are collet or bezel set with pastel colored gemstones such as amethyst and rose quartz. Crossover bangles, with gemstone-set ends, were also popular during this era.

Slide bracelets were another favorite of the Art Nouveau period, and are highly collectible today. The slides are often worked in the Repousse technique, which produces a three-dimensional relief design.

Other bracelets from the turn of the century are composed of decorative plaques linked together. These plaques are often of curved rectilinear or navette shapes, and are either carved, openwork, or enameled with floral and vine motifs.