An Art Nouveau 14K yellow gold owl perched on a crescent moon with ruby eyes and diamonds. Circa 1900.
About the time period: Art Nouveau is a decorative style that began in the 1890s and lasted until the early 1900s, taking its name from the Parisian gallery of Samuel Bing: Maison de l’Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau artists reacted against what they saw as the uninspired mass-produced copying of historic styles, choosing instead to focus on flowing lines, asymmetry, and superior craftsmanship. Instead of encrusting pieces in faceted stones, jewelers chose to use enameling, semi-precious stones (usually cut en cabochon) and unusual materials such as moonstone, opal and horn to enhance the beauty and originality of their design. Soon, copies of artisan pieces were being mass-produced and extravagant style began to decline.
Diamonds: 0.10 total carat weight, K-L color, VS1-VS2 clarity
