Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau jewelry is best described as Exotic, Bold and Expressive. Art Nouveau jewelry touches the hearts of critical collectors, with the beauty that is felt when one views a great works art. Art Nouveau jewelry are truly works of art, created at a period in time when designers integrated art with jewelry. The ingredients that make Art Nouveau jewelry so emotionally beautiful are the use of subtle color and shading with mystical imagery. Much of art Nouveau jewelry are imaginative pieces, varying and different from other styles and forms of jewelry from other periods.
The Art Nouveau period was from1890 through 1910, and made an impact on the jewelry industry that is still felt today. The style of Art Nouveau jewelry was a major change from the designs characterized both French and English jewelery in the late 1800’s. There were very few restrictions in the design of Art Nouveau jewelry. Very common motifs were life forms, orchids, dragonflies, human & animal forms. Life-like to dream-like simplicity of metal alone to the complexity of enamel and precious gems.
Along with the creativness came a learning of new techniques in carving and the casting of gold, as well as the use of enameling, that had never seen before. The most important technique used by designers was the use of enameling. The most well known type of enameling was Plique a’jour, which can be defined as enameling with a transparent backing. This effect most often achieved a look of stained glass. This technique of applying enameling was very difficult and extremely popular, as it showed the jeweler’s artistry and abilities. Another type of enameling that was popular was called guilloche enameling, which was a technique with engraving metal, then applying a thin layer of transparent enamel on top of the work. Faberge in Russia was very well known for this type of work.
Quality is the first thing to evaluate in certifying the authenticity of a piece of Nouveau jewelry. The quality should be evident in all aspects of the piece. Enameling is also extremely important in determining the authenticity of the jewelry. The enameling on a reproduction will be uniform little shading and sharp edges. The edges of a reproduction piece will be sharp, showing little or no wear. Polishing marks which are indications of handmade should be evident on an original piece.
Determining quality and the pieces value of Art Nouveau jewelry, requires an experienced and skillful jeweler who can recognize an original and authentic piece of Art Nouveau Jewelry. Working with a trusted and respected company such as The Estate Department, Inc., you will come to know and understand the quality of original period pieces of jewelry.
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