Antique Jewelry: Art Nouveau Necklaces

Art Nouveau necklaces, from the early 1900s, are usually made of sterling silver or gold. These lovely pieces of antique jewelry often contain enamel, semi-precious gemstones and pearls.

Antique lavalieres are particularly popular Art Nouveau necklaces. The lavaliere has an ornate piece suspended from a neck chain. Like other Art Nouveau jewelry, it often features swirls of metal, or nature motifs such as butterflies, dragonflies and flowers.

Lavalieres from this era are sometimes decorated with beautiful plique a jour enamel in subtle shades of color. A freshwater or baroque pearl is often suspended from the bottom of the necklace.

Amethysts, peridots and pearls were favorite gemstones in antique Art Nouveau necklaces. The purple, green and white color scheme symbolized the suffragette movement and is often seen in antique jewelry from the early twentieth century.

Festoon necklaces were also worn during this time period. They consisted of multiple jeweled plaques linked by double or triple swagged chains.