Nature's Embrace: An Art Nouveau Ring with a Brown Diamond

Embodying the essence of Art Nouveau, this French ring from 1900 presents a captivating scene. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, its design is inspired by the organic forms of nature, with an iris elegantly wrapping around an ovalish old cut diamond of approximately 0.80 carats. The natural brown color of the diamond, set amidst the floral motif, adds a unique touch to the piece, symbolizing vitality and purity. The ring's design, with its flowing lines and harmonious blend of gold and diamond, perfectly encapsulates the artistic spirit and stylistic innovations of the Art Nouveau movement.

Antique jewelry object group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring)

Condition: excellent condition
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Country of origin: France

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 or more info on styles

Style specifics: Art Nouveau - Although Art Nouveau took on distinctly localised tendencies as its geographic spread increase some general characteristics are indicative of the form. A description published in Pan magazine of Hermann Obrist's wall-hanging Cyclamen (1894) described it as "sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip", which became well known during the early spread of Art Nouveau.

Subsequently, not only did the work itself become better known as The Whiplash, but the term "whiplash" is frequently applied to the characteristic curves employed by Art Nouveau artists. Such decorative "whiplash" motifs, formed by dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm, are found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture, and other forms of Art Nouveau design.(from: Wikipedia)

Period: ca. 1900
  -  (events and facts in 1900)

Source of inspiration: flower symbolism

Theme: Iris - click here for an explanation on the iris

Material: 18K yellow gold
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Diamonds: one ovalish old cut diamond, natural brown color with an estimated weight of approximately 0.80 crt
Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting. (approximate color and clarity: si)

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: length of top of ring 2.16 cm (0.85 inch)

Weight: 8.90 gram (5.72 dwt)

Ring size Continental: 56 & 17¾ , Size US 7½ , Size UK: O½

Resizing: Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we have to charge).
  -  (more info on ring sizes)

Reference Nº: 10343-0048

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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