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True to the aesthetic that flourished on the eve of the 20th century, we present this necklace in the Art Nouveau style. Click to buy. |
Designers, at the
turn-of- the-century intended to rise above machine made mediocrity. They
shocked the senses of those accustomed to the drone of the Victorian status
quo. Art Nouveau flourished in a world of rapid social change. The “new art”
brought design innovations that weren’t derived from any previous art form or
period style. It stressed hand fabrication over machine production. The form
and beauty of an object was deemed more valuable than the intrinsic worth of
its materials.
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Our botanical nouveau pendant from which a 3-D baby frog reaches for a luscious baroque fluorite bead. Click to shop. |
Art Nouveau abandoned
Victorian excesses. Jewelry, in particular, experienced a transformation. It was
sinuous and elegant. Botanical themes featured the whiplash curve, pulled,
sinuous vines, natural textures and movement. Flowers and insects took on
meandering lines as if shaped by wind or water. The female form was expressed
in a poetic and sensual manner. There was nothing rigid or formal in the new
style. It brought emotionally charged works of art to jewelry fabricated by
legendary studios such as Lalique and Tiffany, Vever and Ashbee.
To suit the demands of
the design, enamels and glass were often used in preference to gems. Precious
stones and metals were viewed as secondary to the selection of materials and
finishes for creating objects of virtue. Art glass became a primary element in
Nouveau design--the artistry of glass jewels and applied coloring was as much a
part of the jewelry rendering as its form and theme.
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Art Nouveau style lily-of-the-valley and enamel leaves span across our split shank bronze bracelet. See it and the other pieces of this collection here. |
The new aesthetic
resulted in an emancipation of jewelry from being mere status symbols to a high
art form. However, just 15 years into the new century, WWI broke out. The
demand for munitions production to fuel the war effort broke off the love
affair with Art Nouveau and brought the Machine Age soundly into place. Though
it thrived for just a brief slice of time, Art Nouveau had become established
as a celebrated and influential design movement.
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A garden of Art Nouveau flowers and crystal bead winged dragonflies. Sensational! Shop this bracelet |
It reminds me of short
seasons of tremendous personal growth that have shaped my art as a jewelry
designer, my life and perspectives. What are your some of your most deeply
loved treasures? Is there an art style or subject or endeavor that makes your
life especially more joyous, more complete? Please post a comment below...
The Lily of the Valley pieces are absolutely gorgeous! Well done!
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