Antique Jewelry: Art Nouveau Earrings

Art Nouveau earrings date from the 1890s through the early 1900s. At the time, expensive materials took a back seat to the craftsmanship of the jewelry. Therefore, many Art Nouveau earrings are made of sterling silver, and set with semi-precious gemstones.

Flower and nature motifs were highly popular during the Art Nouveau era. The earrings from this time often feature lovely dangling blossoms, such as orchids and lilies. Dragonflies and butterflies were also favorite jewelry designs.

The Art Nouveau aesthetic movement favored sinuous curves over straight lines. Some Art Nouveau earrings are simply a case study in form, featuring multiple swirls of metal that weave in and out of each other with a sensuous grace.

Art Nouveau earrings often have beautiful enamel designs in the plique-a-jour style, resembling stained glass. Others incorporate gemstones, such as pearls, moonstone, onyx and amethyst.