Art Nouveau Flower Brooch with Dogtooth Pearls, circa 1900 in 18ct Gold

Circa 1900 Art Nouveau brooch in 18ct yellow gold, formed as a whiplash spray of ribbons and a blossoming flower. Eight tapered pearls, often called ‘dogtooth’ pearls, are set as petals around a warm gold centre, their soft lustre playing against the lightly textured goldwork. A charming, sculptural jewel of the period. Unmarked, with safety chain.

Jewellery Type
brooch

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

Style
Art Nouveau - Art Nouveau (French for New Style) is an international movement and style of art, architecture and applied art - especially the decorative arts - that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905).

The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art". It is also known as Jugendstil, German for "youth style", named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it, and in Italy, Stile Liberty from the department store in London, Liberty & Co., which popularised the style, and in Holland as “Sla-olie-stijl”, Dutch for “salad oil style” after a advertisement poster for this product that was made in that style.

A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life. Although Art Nouveau fell out of favour with the arrival of 20th-century modernist styles, it is seen today as an important bridge between the historicism of Neoclassicism and modernism.
See also: Art Nouveau
more info on styles

Style specifics
Art Nouveau - The floral ornaments and botanical designs are very typical for the Art Nouveau style. Also the use of curvilinear lines is typical for this period.

Period
ca. 1900
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
flower symbolism

Theme
blooming flower

Material 18K
yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Extra information
These unusual tapered pearls are often called “dogtooth pearls” in the jewellery trade, a descriptive term for elongated freshwater pearls shaped like small fangs or petals. Around 1900, such pearls were frequently used as stylised flower petals, because their soft lustre and gentle irregularity bring a natural, lively effect to the design. They are traditionally associated with North American river mussels, including the wider Mississippi River system, which supplied freshwater pearls used in antique and early twentieth century jewellery.

Precious stones
Eight pearls

Birthstones
Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
No trace.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
6,60 cm (2,60 inch) x 4,90 cm (1,93 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
21,40 gram (13,76 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
25363-0274

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

Additional information
our latest acquisitions
jewelry glossary
wall of fame
visit us in Antwerp
subscribe to our mailinglist