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were silverplate art nouveau repoussé jewelry pieces ever made?

i'm considering the purchase of an art nouveau jewelry item. both the chain & repoussé pendant are unmarked but are said to "test positive for sterling". three questions:
• does silverplate test positive for sterling?
• was silverplating being done during the art nouveau era?
• it is possible for a item from the art nouveau period to be not marked silver even though it truly is?

thanks for any informed answers!

Hi! If it's art nouveau,,, where is it from? The French have been marking silver since 1798. They can be very clever about secreting the marks but the marks must be there as well silverplate marks which are in a rectangle as opposed to the diamond shape. Numeral indicates silverplate thickness. The British, German and American are also stringent with their markings and most certainly by the time art nouveau took hold. And yes, the piece can be silverplate. Also, if something is plated heavily enough it may test as silver but there are tests to verify the difference. And yes, anything is possible. If the clasp was the only part marked and the clasp was replaced.. so goes the evidence. Silver is silver.. all through and through. If they don't wish to apply chemicals to test it, let them do a scratch test in an inconspicuous place to determine how dense the plating is... or isn't. If they are selling it, the onus is on them to be reliable and provide you with proof. The words silver or sterling silver describe an American product that contains 92.5% silver. Silver products sometimes may be marked 925 which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. Some jewelry may be described as silverplate: a layer of silver is bonded to a base metal. The mark coin silver is used for compounds that contain 90% silver. According to the law, quality-marked silver also must bear the name or a U.S. registered trademark of the company or person that will stand behind the mark. I would ask them for some means of proof (and put it in writing) or ask if you may take it somewhere independently for verification, I don't know how much they are asking for the necklace or if you want to go that route but it would offer you piece of mind.
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks.html
http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/products/jewelry.shtm
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/rubylane-sold/item/166833x20082706-2
http://cgi.ebay.com/SWEET-ROMANCE-Jeweled-Silverplate-Art-Nouveau-Necklace_W0QQitemZ330016331940QQihZ014QQcategoryZ92841QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

2007-10-06 14:17:24 by seekingrowz | Posted in Sculpture

How can you identify authentic Art Nouveau Jewelry ?

IF YOU WANT TO DO IT YOURSELF, there are some very good books on Art Nouveau Jewelry, and the Art Nouveau period, also called Jugend.

There are tons of books on the topic, and the period.

Have you tried the Library?

If you are like me, you like owning your own books. Search the Book Sites on the Internet for "Art Nouveau" and "Jugend" or the Auction Sites in their book departments.

2008-07-22 06:47:10 by Dr Max | Posted in Fashion & Accessories

What can you tell me about my art nouveau jewelry?

I bought two pieces of art nouveau jewelry at an auction this weekend. One is a lavalier-type necklace, the other is a large pendant with two bails on the back. I would like to know more about them. I can't seem to find anything similar online. They are both hallmarked with 925 and what looks like a lion in a square. These are the links to the auctioneers website that have the lots:

The first one is in the upper left. It is oval and looks like two birds. It also has two stones on it.
http://www.seymourauctions.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23915&papass=&sort=1&thecat=64

This is the second. It is the necklace that cuts through the center of the lot. It looks like a lavalier and has a lapis stone in it.
http://www.seymourauctions.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23977&papass=&sort=1&thecat=64

925 refers to their sterling silver purity - here indicating a silver purity of 925 parts per thousand, or 92.5% silver content. As regards the lion marking, it tells you who made the pieces: compare the appearance of your lion with those listed at http://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilvermarksXJTRE.html
Thanks for writing about the lavalier-type necklace - I enjoyed looking the word up and finding out about Louis 1V mistress from whom the name was derived. You probably know all about it, but here is the link for anyone who is interested http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchesse_de_la_Valli%C3%A8re#Mistress

2008-05-26 18:24:24 by Emily S | Posted in Sculpture

What exactly made retro jewelry so different from other eras of jewelry?

How is it different from Victorian?
" Art Deco?
" Art Nouveau?

I know a lot about retro jewelry and I know that it emphasized big, bold, and 3D, but what about other eras? Thanks!

Victorian jewerly is more classical and tasteful and used for special touches. Retro jewerly is used to make a statement.

2007-11-24 14:33:08 by *star* | Posted in Fashion & Accessories