Art Nouveau Gold Medal
An art nouveau gold medal brings flowing natural lines and rich enamel work together in a wearable piece of French craftsmanship.
Art Nouveau Gold Medal
An art nouveau gold medal is primarily found as a pendant, charm, or religious medal originating from France across the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These pieces typically take the form of circular or scalloped medallions depicting the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, or secular subjects such as angels and hunting horns.
The version you are most likely to meet on this page is an 18K yellow gold French pendant featuring devotional imagery framed by floral motifs or decorative borders. Many examples integrate secondary decorative elements such as seed pearls or suspended drops to enhance the silhouette.
Materials and construction
Metals and vitreous materials define the construction of these medals, predominantly utilising 18K yellow gold alongside colourful enamel. Artisans shaped the precious metal through stamping or casting before applying fine surface details by hand.
Plique-a-jour enamel appears frequently, creating a translucent stained-glass effect where enamel is held within gold wire cells without a backing. Seed pearls are also incorporated into the designs, often set around the borders to accent the central metallic relief.
Art Nouveau Gold Medal Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for art nouveau gold medal among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Assessing quality and execution
Integrity of the plique-a-jour panels and the crispness of the surrounding goldwork separate superior items from simpler production pieces. The subtlety of the colour blending in the enamel and the secure setting of any seed pearls further indicate the level of initial craftsmanship.
Emile Monier·Emile Dropsy·Ovide Yencesse·Karo
The Art Nouveau Gold Medal Glossary
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied to open cells without a backing, allowing light to pass through the transparent colour like stained glass.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, often drilled and threaded or set collectively to form delicate decorative borders on jewellery.
- Medallion
- A large medal-shaped pendant designed to be worn around the neck or suspended from a chain as an ornament or devotional token.
- Pendant
- An item of jewellery that hangs from a necklace, chain, or cord, usually secured by a loop or bail at the top.
- Charm
- A small decorative trinket attached to a bracelet or necklace, sharing similar miniature sculptural qualities with pendants.
Art Nouveau Gold Medal: Frequently Asked Questions
What are art nouveau gold medals?
These pieces are small wearable works of art produced in France, typically cast in 18K yellow gold.
They frequently feature religious iconography or symbolic motifs framed by the characteristic flowing lines of the movement.
How were these medals worn?
Owners typically suspended them from gold chains as pendant necklaces or hung them from charm bracelets.
Religious examples served as personal devotional items kept close to the wearer.
What is plique-a-jour enamel?
Plique-a-jour is a specialised glass-firing technique that resembles miniature stained glass.
Enamel powder is fused within open wire frames so that natural light shines directly through the translucent colours.
How do I identify French pieces?
French production is generally indicated by the stylistic execution and common subject matter such as the Virgin Mary or secular French inscriptions.
Many examples also bear the names or signatures of prominent French medallists on the surface.