Rating and value of Art Nouveau jewelry, brooches and necklaces

If you own a piece of Art Nouveau jewelry, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of Art Nouveau jewelry

Art Nouveau jewelry is a popular item at auction. They are collected by bidders of all nationalities. Nowadays, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Necklaces and brooches are particularly popular, with buyers from all over the world. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €25 to €44,000, for the moment, a consequent gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these objects. In 2018 an art nouveau brooch in yellow gold in the shape of a peacock, set with emeralds and enamelled, sold for €44,000, originally estimated at between €20,000 and €30,000.  

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of the most popular Art Nouveau jewelry on the market

Art Nouveau jewelry dates back to the early 20th century. They are made of gold, enamel and sometimes diamonds. Brooches are the most characteristic jewelry of this period. They are generally colored and may also be set with gemstones of different colors.

The history of Art Nouveau jewelry

Art Nouveau jewelry, born at the crossroads of the 19th and 20th centuries, represents an aesthetic and cultural revolution in the world of jewelry. They are the fruit of an era undergoing profound change, marked by industrialization, increasing urbanization and a quest for new forms of artistic expression. Art Nouveau jewelry stands out for its organic aesthetic, flowing lines and nature-inspired motifs, such as leaves, flowers, insects and undulating curves. Artisans of this period exploited a variety of materials, from gold and silver to precious gems, enamel and mother-of-pearl, to create pieces that reflect the intrinsic beauty and richness of nature.

One of the most striking characteristics of Art Nouveau jewelry is its ability to capture a sense of movement and life. Curved, sinuous forms evoke dynamism and fluidity, creating a unique visual harmony. Artisans of this period often sought to incorporate elements of surprise and mystery into their creations, sometimes using innovative techniques such as plique-à-jour enamel, which gives the impression that the jewelry is bathed in light. 

Art Nouveau also marked a break with traditional jewelry conventions. Designers rejected the rigid symmetry and predominant geometry of the previous era, favoring instead asymmetrical shapes and freer artistic compositions. These jewels not only served to beautify the body, but also carried symbolic and philosophical meanings, expressing ideas related to love, nature, spirituality and reflection on human identity.

The success of Art Nouveau jewelry today

Art Nouveau jewelry is very much in vogue today, as the exhibition presented at the Ecole des Arts Joailliers on the metamorphosis of jewelry testifies. Prestigious houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef&Arpels, Lalique or Boucheron have loaned some of their creations for the occasion, so that they can be seen by as many people as possible.

Art Nouveau jewelry goes beyond mere decorative accessories. They embody an artistic movement that revolutionized the way jewelry is designed and perceived. Each piece tells a unique story, not only about the era in which they were born, but also about the boldness and innovation of the designers who pushed the boundaries of jewelry to create timeless works of art. All these reasons make them sought-after and appreciated at auction.

Knowing the value of an Art Nouveau jewel

If you happen to own an Art Nouveau jewel, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and chartered auctioneers will contact you promptly with an estimate of the market value of your piece, and will provide you with all the relevant information. If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.