1860s Mourning Jewelry
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Brooches
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Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1880s British Victorian Bangles
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Antique 1860s Victorian Bangles
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A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
- Did men wear mourning jewelry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, men wore mourning jewelry as well as women. It became popularized during the Victoria era, but was a tradition that has stretched in history far back before this period. Shop an array of authentic mourning jewelry from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, some jewelers still make mourning jewelry. Mourning jewelry was very popular in the Georgian era and experienced a resurgence in the Victorian Era when Queen Victoria wore it in memory of Prince Albert after he passed. Today, there is more versatility in what is considered mourning jewelry and limitless options for customizing it. Find vintage and contemporary mourning jewelry from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In the 1700s, popular jewelry types included bracelets, brooches, belt buckles, earrings, rings and necklaces. Additionally, women frequently wore hair jewelry, such as tiaras, hairpins and combs encrusted with precious gemstones. You can find a selection of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023In the 1910s, Art Nouveau jewelry was popular. Trends of the time included long necklaces often decorated with tassels and platinum beads. Among gemstones, diamonds and sapphires were in high demand. Find a selection of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023During the 1800s, necklaces, earrings, brooches and hair accessories were popular jewelry pieces in styles ranging from Georgian with enamel details to Victorian with floral flourishes. The commonly used gemstones of the 19th century included diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and amethysts. Gold was the dominant metal for jewelry, but silver became sought-after during the 1880s and 1890s. Explore an assortment of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What era is 1920s jewelry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023What era 1920s jewelry is depends on its design. Most people associate this decade with the Art Deco movement, which took inspiration from eclectic sources like Cubism, ancient Egypt and Native American, African and Asian motifs. However, some pieces produced during the 1920s are more in line with the style trends of earlier periods, such as Art Nouveau, Edwardian and Victorian. Explore a diverse assortment of 1920s jewelry on 1stDibs.
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