No Ugly Duckling

The Art Nouveau period (1890s - 1910) produced some of the most evocative pieces in the history of jewelry design. Central to the movement was an embrace of romanticism, naturalism and femininity. The use of flowing, curvilinear lines with attention to balance and symmetry is of paramount importance within Art Nouveau pieces – both in jewelry and other forms of art.

This charming brooch is easily identifiable as an Art Nouveau piece and displays the graceful lines and symmetry of two mirrored swans amidst green springtime reeds. The piece consists of delicate enamel work accented with a diamond at its heart. As a feminine symbol, the swan represents beauty, intuition and gracefulness. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the contours of the swan’s neck and body could not be more suited to the stylistic preferences of Art Nouveau designers. The swan-themed wallpaper shown at right is by English artist and illustrator Walter Crane (1845–1915), and is another example of the fondness for swan imagery within Art Nouveau design.

Image: Swan-themed wallpaper by Walter Crane; Courtesy: pininterest.com. Print this post