Sterling Silver Turquoise Filigree Ring

Sterling Silver Turquoise Filigree Ring

Who loves Art Nouveau buildings? We do! You see elements of it in many houses and buildings around New York City. But when it comes to Art Nouveau, New York has nothing on Barcelona or Mexico City. The style and its influence can be felt around the world. In fact, Art Deco was mostly a rejection of it’s more dilettante style — while you can still see some of its elements subsumed into Art Deco.

The style became popular with Mexican artists during the late 1800s. With the arrival of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, the movement took root in Mexico. When Spratling and his cohorts ushered in the Taxco silver renaissance, it’s only logical that artists like Gerardo Lopez, Los Castillo, and Margot de Taxco experimented with Art Nouveau designs.

Those big name artists weren’t the only ones to experiment with these styles. Silversmiths who created more modest pieces also adopted the style. It in turn became one of the most prolific styles — along with Art Deco and pre Colombian styles — to come out of the region. Along with Mexican artists, many artists throughout the Americas adopted the winding filigree work of Art Nouveau. The style became popular throughout the American Southwest also. Even Tiffany and Co. created works using this style.

Now you want to hear about the ring? Well, that’s what I have to say about the ring. It’s a wonderful vintage ring at an accessible price. But better than that, it’s a fascinating piece of work from a time when artists tried to add a bit of nature — in the way of twisted wire that represents vines and leaves — into their art.