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 can 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. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of Art Nouveau jewelry

Art Nouveau jewelry is a highly prized auction item. 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 jewels 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 colorful, and may also be set with gemstones in a variety of 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 in flux, 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 features 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-making conventions. Designers rejected the rigid symmetry and predominant geometry of the previous era, favoring instead asymmetrical forms and freer artistic compositions. These jewels not only served to embellish the body, but also carried symbolic and philosophical meanings, expressing ideas linked 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 evidenced by the exhibition at the Ecole des Arts Joailliers on the metamorphosis of jewelry. Prestigious houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef&Arpels, Lalique and Boucheron have lent some of their creations for the occasion, so that they can be seen by as many people as possible.

Art Nouveau jewelry is more than just a decorative accessory. 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 it was created, but also about the boldness and innovation of the designers who pushed the boundaries of jewelry to create timeless works of art. For all these reasons, they are sought-after and appreciated at auction.

Knowing the value of an Art Nouveau jewel

If you happen to own a piece of Art Nouveau jewelry, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your property, our specialists will also be on hand to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.