What is a french art nouveau medallion?

It is a small, decorative metalwork piece originating from France during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, featuring the flowing lines and natural motifs characteristic of the movement. These items often double as religious medals or artistic pendants. They combine sculptural relief work with materials like eighteen-carat yellow gold, enamel, and seed pearls, serving both decorative and devotional purposes.

How were these pendants worn?

Most examples are fitted with loops or rings designed to accommodate a chain, allowing them to be worn around the neck as a pendant necklace or attached to a bracelet as a charm. Heavier iterations, such as wall plaques or large cast medals, were alternatively intended for interior display or kept as pocket keepsakes rather than worn on the body.

What materials are most common?

Eighteen-carat yellow gold is the predominant metal found across these listings, providing a warm, rich tone that complements the artistic designs. Enamel, particularly the translucent plique-a-jour variety, and seed pearls are also frequently employed. Selected items incorporate alternative mediums such as earthenware and pate de verre glass, broadening the sculptural range of the category beyond standard metalwork.

How do I identify the maker?

Many pieces bear signatures, stamps, or artist names stamped directly into the metal surface, pointing to prominent designers and medallists of the period. Examining the reverse or the edge of the medallion typically reveals these maker marks. Referencing the specific names recorded on individual pieces helps connect the artwork to established workshops and individual sculptors active in France during the era.

Home > French Art Nouveau Medallion > Page 2

French Art Nouveau Medallion

23 items · page 2 of 2

← Page 2 of 2 →

A french art nouveau medallion carries organic fluidity and meticulous metalwork, offering wearable history that collectors prize for its sculptural grace.