When and where was Art Nouveau jewelry popular? Art Nouveau (“new art”) jewelry was created in France between about 1895 and 1910, coming on the heels of the “overwrought” designs of the Victorian era (which ended with Queen Victoria’s death in 1901) and creating a striking contrast to the mainstream Edwardian designs of that time. While jewelry with a similar aesthetic was being made in other countries during the same time period--for example, Jungenstil in Germany and Austria--true Art Nouveau jewelry is decidedly French. It was a short-lived period in jewelry design, lasting only about 15 years, because of the onset of World War I and because the pieces were so over-the-top that people quickly lost interest in them. Art Nouveau jewelry was a reaction to a number of things going on in French society at that time, including women’s fight to secure more rights for themselves outside of the home by getting an education and a job. This is why so much of Art Nouveau is woman-centric. The pieces depict women with flowing hair and sweet faces — fantasy women, such as sexualized mermaids or fairies with wings; or “scary” women, figures like Medusa. In addition to women, Art Nouveau jewelry incorporated nature in a way that never had been done in jewelry before, with insects and flowers that had a sexualized nature to them. #bhmhomeandestate #bargainhuntermama #artnouveaujewelry #estatesalefinds #njestateliquidator #bhmestatesaleservices https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PHMKFjGp0/?igshid=85v1zys5xm5x