by Lillian Csernica on April 3, 2017
Of the many popular motifs in Art Nouveau jewelry, I have to say bats are among the strangest. Flowers? Sure. Insects? OK. Abstract geometric designs? No problem. But bats?
Thanks to the erudite Jewelry Nerd, you will find some possible answers here.
There are plenty of examples of this particular critter done in various precious metals and gems. I’ve included only a few. I guess the fashionable ladies of La Belle Epoque must have included some Goths!
beautyblingjewelry.tumblr.com
Bat pin of plique-a-jour enamel, pearl, diamond, with ruby eyes, 18k gold, 4″ wing span
jewelrynerd.tumblr.com
pinterest.com
Bracelet by Philippe and Marcel Wolfers.
From 1stdibs.com: “A superb and iconic art nouveau portrayal of a Parisian goddess of the Demi-Monde. She has style roots going back to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. The very revealing décolleté, flowing hair, bat wings and diamond Aurora head dress suggestively alludes to pagan pleasures and entertainments of the night, the practitioners only heading home with the dawn.”
detournementsmineurs.tumblr.com
Art Nouveau Japanese Inlaid Damascene “Bat and Crescent” necklace in gold and silver.
r.ebay.com
Art nouveau Czech bat pin with vaseline rhinestones.
Yes, that’s right. Vaseline rhinestones. Prior to the Cold War, jewelers could use uranium in the creation of certain types of art glass. The results resembled the appearance of the petroleum jelly as it was produced at that time.
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