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Antique Victorian Hand-Carved Cameo Shell Gold Gilt Brooch
Antique Victorian Hand-Carved Cameo Shell Gold Gilt Brooch

Antique Victorian Hand-Carved Cameo Shell Gold Gilt Brooch

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Antique Italian horizontal pink and white shell hand-carved cameo set in gold gilt metal brooch/pin

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Antique Victorian Shell Portrait Cameo Brooch 9 Carat Gold
Antique Victorian Shell Portrait Cameo Brooch 9 Carat Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Portrait Cameo Brooch 9 Carat Gold

Located in Lancaster, Lancashire

This fabulous 9ct Yellow Gold Cameo brooch is Circa 1880. The carving is very high relief and well

Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Victorian 41mm Shell Cameo Brooch Featuring Seated Flutist Under Tree
Victorian 41mm Shell Cameo Brooch Featuring Seated Flutist Under Tree

Victorian 41mm Shell Cameo Brooch Featuring Seated Flutist Under Tree

Located in Jacksonville, FL

Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Featuring Seated Flutist, Tree, and Bridge in Pastoral Scene, Late

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Antique Victorian Front Face God Pan Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Victorian Front Face God Pan Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Victorian Front Face God Pan Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in London, GB

immaculate condition, surely it has been never worn. The shell is brilliant and polished and the carving is

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch with Seed Pearl Frame, circa 1880
Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch with Seed Pearl Frame, circa 1880

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch with Seed Pearl Frame, circa 1880

Located in Jacksonville, FL

This elegant Victorian shell cameo brooch features the serene profile of a classical woman with

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch in Filigree Brass Frame, Late 19th Century
Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch in Filigree Brass Frame, Late 19th Century

Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch in Filigree Brass Frame, Late 19th Century

Located in Jacksonville, FL

This exquisite Victorian shell cameo brooch features the finely carved profile of a classical

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Victorian Bucolic Motif Cameo 9K Yellow Gold Shell Intaglio Brooch
Victorian Bucolic Motif Cameo 9K Yellow Gold Shell Intaglio Brooch

Victorian Bucolic Motif Cameo 9K Yellow Gold Shell Intaglio Brooch

Located in Pamplona, Navarra

An amazing antique cameo brooch featuring a nicely carved shell bucolic scene. The frame is made of

Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Chesterland, OH

Victorian Cameo Brooch. Fabulous carved Victorian brooch made around the late 1800s. It depicts a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Antique Victorian Venus Teaching Archery to Cupid Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Victorian Venus Teaching Archery to Cupid Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Victorian Venus Teaching Archery to Cupid Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in London, GB

the type of the shell used is just the same of the ones they often used to carve their cameos, a

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Materials

15k Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch French circa 1880 18 Carat Gold
Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch French circa 1880 18 Carat Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch French circa 1880 18 Carat Gold

Located in Lancaster, Lancashire

 Victorian cameo brooch is Circa 1880. A hand carved bull mouth shell cameo which is very well executed

Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Victorian The Triumph of Alexander the Great Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Victorian The Triumph of Alexander the Great Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Victorian The Triumph of Alexander the Great Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in London, GB

This is a Museum Quality shell cameo brooch depicting a rare subject, Alexander the Great in his

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus
Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus

Located in Chesterland, OH

depicted while feeding the eagle of Zeus. This subject was very popular in the Victorian era, probably

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Antique Victorian Bullmouth Shell Cameo Brooch 9 Carat Gold Frame, circa 1900
Antique Victorian Bullmouth Shell Cameo Brooch 9 Carat Gold Frame, circa 1900

Antique Victorian Bullmouth Shell Cameo Brooch 9 Carat Gold Frame, circa 1900

Located in Lancaster, Lancashire

A stunning antique Victorian brooch C.1900, set with a beautiful hand carved Bullmouth Shell Cameo

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Era Shell Cameo Wise Man Brooch 15 Carat Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Era Shell Cameo Wise Man Brooch 15 Carat Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Era Shell Cameo Wise Man Brooch 15 Carat Yellow Gold

Located in Hamilton, AU

Crafted in 15 carat gold, The Karina Brooch, having hailed from The Victorian Era is one for the

Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Classical Shell Cameo Brooch Pin Signed

Classical Shell Cameo Brooch Pin Signed

Located in Perth, AU

Victorian shell cameo brooch in 9ct gold frame. 6cm x 5cm. Signed to rear.

Category

Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Brooches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Hours Leading the Horses of the Sun Pink Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Victorian Hours Leading the Horses of the Sun Pink Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Victorian Hours Leading the Horses of the Sun Pink Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in London, GB

cameo especially carved on pink shell. So large cameos are not easy to find, especially museum quality

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Lovely Victorian Original Cameo Brooch
Lovely Victorian Original Cameo Brooch

Lovely Victorian Original Cameo Brooch

Located in Sydney CBD, AU

Lovely Victorian Shell Coral Cameo brooch /pin with intricate carving into shell of a Victorian

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Vintage Shell Shape Brooch- 3.5ct Diamonds & White Pearl & 14k Rose Gold Brooch
Vintage Shell Shape Brooch- 3.5ct Diamonds & White Pearl & 14k Rose Gold Brooch

Vintage Shell Shape Brooch- 3.5ct Diamonds & White Pearl & 14k Rose Gold Brooch

Located in Ramat Gan, IL

Vintage pearl and diamonds brooch for women, Shell Brooch, Rose Gold 14K Brooch, Estate jewelry

Category

Mid-20th Century European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold

Art Nouveau Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch Pendant
Art Nouveau Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch Pendant

Art Nouveau Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch Pendant

Located in St. Louis Park, MN

yellow gold carved shell cameo pin with fold down bail for extra versatility to be worn as a pendant

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Italian 9K Gold & Highly Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Italian 9K Gold & Highly Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Italian 9K Gold & Highly Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Antique Italian 9K Gold & Highly Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch. Features a finely crafted left

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

20th Century Italian 12-K Gold & Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch
20th Century Italian 12-K Gold & Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch

20th Century Italian 12-K Gold & Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

20th Century Antique Italian 12K Gold & Highly Carved Pink Shell Cameo Brooch. Feature a pink shell

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

An Antique Diamond Set Shell Brooch in the form of a Butterfly
An Antique Diamond Set Shell Brooch in the form of a Butterfly

An Antique Diamond Set Shell Brooch in the form of a Butterfly

Located in London, GB

Butterfly. On the reverse is a substantial twelve strap Gold brooch mount and I am told that the shells are

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Australian Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Cameo Brooch, Intricate Carving of Lady with Long, Curly Locks
Victorian Cameo Brooch, Intricate Carving of Lady with Long, Curly Locks

Victorian Cameo Brooch, Intricate Carving of Lady with Long, Curly Locks

Located in BALMAIN, NSW

Victorian Shell Coral Cameo brooch /pin with intricate carving into the shell of a Victorian woman

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Vintage 18ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1970s Heavy 7.9g 750 Purity
Vintage 18ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1970s Heavy 7.9g 750 Purity

Vintage 18ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1970s Heavy 7.9g 750 Purity

Located in Camelford, GB

HEAVY GOLD GOLD CARVED SHELL CAMEO BROOCH DETAILS Material: 18ct (750/000) Solid Yellow Gold - thick

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 9ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1970s Heavy 6.2g 375 Purity
Vintage 9ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1970s Heavy 6.2g 375 Purity

Vintage 9ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1970s Heavy 6.2g 375 Purity

Located in Camelford, GB

HEAVY GOLD GOLD CARVED SHELL CAMEO BROOCH DETAILS Material: 9ct (375/000) Solid Yellow Gold - thick and

Category

Mid-20th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Vintage 9ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1946 Heavy 6.6g 375 Purity
Vintage 9ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1946 Heavy 6.6g 375 Purity

Vintage 9ct Gold Large Shell Cameo Brooch Pin c1946 Heavy 6.6g 375 Purity

Located in Camelford, GB

HEAVY GOLD GOLD CARVED SHELL CAMEO BROOCH DETAILS Material: 9ct (375/000) Solid Yellow Gold - thick and

Category

Mid-20th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Shell Cameo
Antique Shell Cameo

Antique Shell Cameo

Unavailable|$375

Antique Shell Cameo

Located in New York City, NY

Beautifully worked antique shell cameo set in 14kt yellow gold frame with original pin back and

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

Victorian Shell Cameo Bacchus and Ariadne, 12K Yellow Gold Locket, Pendant
Victorian Shell Cameo Bacchus and Ariadne, 12K Yellow Gold Locket, Pendant

Victorian Shell Cameo Bacchus and Ariadne, 12K Yellow Gold Locket, Pendant

Located in Pleasant Hill, CA

Featuring one carved shell cameo, depicting Bacchus and Ariadne, 48.8 X 38.4 mm, bezel set in a 12k

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Artisan Brooches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique Boxed Gold Cameo Swivel Brooch, circa 1900
Antique Boxed Gold Cameo Swivel Brooch, circa 1900

Antique Boxed Gold Cameo Swivel Brooch, circa 1900

Located in Lancaster, Lancashire

Conch Shell Cameo brooch is set in a lovely 9ct Yellow Gold leaf gallery. The Cameo is expertly carved

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Bull Mouth Shell Cameo Brooch
Victorian Bull Mouth Shell Cameo Brooch

Victorian Bull Mouth Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Lancaster, Lancashire

brooch is made with Bull mouth shell. Circa 1860 Set in 18ct Gold gilt. The wonderful Cameo is set in

Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold

Victorian Gold Cameo Shell Brooch
Victorian Gold Cameo Shell Brooch

Victorian Gold Cameo Shell Brooch

Located in Napoli, NA

Antique Victorian shell and diamond cameo brooch decorated with a classical female head in profile

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

French Victorian Shell Rose Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Lizard Brooch
French Victorian Shell Rose Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Lizard Brooch

French Victorian Shell Rose Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Lizard Brooch

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Brooch is designed with a cupped and scalloped shell Pastel pink in color with strongly iridescent

Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Rare Victorian Scottish Agate Shell Brooch
Antique Rare Victorian Scottish Agate Shell Brooch

Antique Rare Victorian Scottish Agate Shell Brooch

Located in Stamford, CT

shapes of beautiful color and patterns as you see in this Agate Sterling Tulip Shell brooch from Scotland

Category

Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Exquisite Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch
Exquisite Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch

Exquisite Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in New York, NY

High relief Cameo of exquisite quality, representing Zeus above his symbol of the Heavens, the Eagle, battling the Snake grasping his tail and representing which , in turn, represent...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Portrait Cameo Yellow Gold Brooch Pendant
Antique Victorian Shell Portrait Cameo Yellow Gold Brooch Pendant

Antique Victorian Shell Portrait Cameo Yellow Gold Brooch Pendant

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Victorian brooch/pendant bezel-set with a large hand-carved shell cameo with the profile of a young

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1900s Gold, Pearl and Shell Victorian Cameo Brooch
Antique 1900s Gold, Pearl and Shell Victorian Cameo Brooch

Antique 1900s Gold, Pearl and Shell Victorian Cameo Brooch

Located in Towson, MD

antique craftsmanship. The brooch features a delicately carved shell depicting a Victorian woman, framed

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus
Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus

Located in Chesterland, OH

depicted while feeding the eagle of Zeus. This subject was very popular in the Victorian era, probably

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

Antique Shell Cameo Brooch
Antique Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Firenze, IT

Cameo on the shell, gold mount, 18kt mid 19th century Size : 4cm x 3,5cm Weight : 11,4gr. Hebe, a

Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 9 Karat Gold Right Facing Double Shell Cameo Bar Brooch
Antique Victorian 9 Karat Gold Right Facing Double Shell Cameo Bar Brooch

Antique Victorian 9 Karat Gold Right Facing Double Shell Cameo Bar Brooch

Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.

depicting right facing persons - possibly man and woman. Cameos are carved from shell. The brooch has floral

Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold

1900s Antique Victorian Carved Shell and Yellow Gold Cameo Brooch
1900s Antique Victorian Carved Shell and Yellow Gold Cameo Brooch

1900s Antique Victorian Carved Shell and Yellow Gold Cameo Brooch

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive Victorian 14 karat yellow gold, carved shell cameo brooch; part of our

Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Gold Filled Shell Pin
Victorian Gold Filled Shell Pin

Victorian Gold Filled Shell Pin

Located in Towson, MD

One gold filled shell pin with chain measuring 1.5 inches long x 0.5 inches wide.

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold-filled

Victorian Old Mine Diamond Shell Pearl 14 Karat Gold Antique Pendant Brooch
Victorian Old Mine Diamond Shell Pearl 14 Karat Gold Antique Pendant Brooch

Victorian Old Mine Diamond Shell Pearl 14 Karat Gold Antique Pendant Brooch

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed as an open stylized shell with center pearl With old mine cut diamonds bead set throughout

Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold

Victorian Shell Cameo of Flora
Victorian Shell Cameo of Flora

Victorian Shell Cameo of Flora

Located in New York, NY

Beautifully Carved Shell cameo of Flora in profile. Set in 14kt Yellow Gold frame with converted

Category

Antique 1850s American Victorian Brooches

Materials

Oriental Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Aurora and Apollo Shell Cameo Brooch
Aurora and Apollo Shell Cameo Brooch

Aurora and Apollo Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in London, GB

An antique shell cameo brooch depicting Aurora, the goddess of the dawn, flying before the chariot

Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Shell Cameo Portrait Gold Brooch Pendant
Antique Shell Cameo Portrait Gold Brooch Pendant

Antique Shell Cameo Portrait Gold Brooch Pendant

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Victorian shell cameo Roman woman portrait hand carved & mounted into a 14k gold brooch pendant

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Antique 19th Century Shell Cameo Gold Brooch
Antique 19th Century Shell Cameo Gold Brooch

Antique 19th Century Shell Cameo Gold Brooch

Located in Chicago, IL

Italian or French, circa 1860 A large finely carved shell cameo of Hebe and the eagle of Zeus is

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold

Victorian Real Tortoise Beetle Shell Pin Pendant
Victorian Real Tortoise Beetle Shell Pin Pendant

Victorian Real Tortoise Beetle Shell Pin Pendant

Located in Lexington, KY

facing beetle, all from the Victorian era. The piece doubles as both pin and pendant making it an

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

19th Century Gold and Shell Cameo Brooch

19th Century Gold and Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Firenze, IT

A 19th Century shell cameo, the oval cameo carved to depict Apollo seated with his lyre attended by

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Large Antique Cameo Shell Gold Hercules Brooch Pendant
Large Antique Cameo Shell Gold Hercules Brooch Pendant

Large Antique Cameo Shell Gold Hercules Brooch Pendant

Located in Firenze, IT

The shell cameo depicting Hercules profile facing right. The yellow gold framed chased and

Category

Antique 1850s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold

Vintage Italian 14 Karat Small Shell Cameo Brooch
Vintage Italian 14 Karat Small Shell Cameo Brooch

Vintage Italian 14 Karat Small Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Palm Desert, CA

Vintage Italian 14 Karat Small Shell Cameo Brooch. Portrait of a lady with a flower on her collar

Category

20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Mid-19th Century French Shell Cameo Gold Brooch
Antique Mid-19th Century French Shell Cameo Gold Brooch

Antique Mid-19th Century French Shell Cameo Gold Brooch

Located in Chicago, IL

Circa 1860 A large finely carved shell cameo of Hebe and the eagle of Zeus is set in an ornate 18K

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Art Deco White Gold and Cameo Shell Brooch 1920s
Art Deco White Gold and Cameo Shell Brooch 1920s

Art Deco White Gold and Cameo Shell Brooch 1920s

Located in Towson, MD

Discover the timeless elegance of this 1920s art deco 14 karat white gold brooch, featuring a

Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Gold, Diamond and Agate Shell Brooch, England, circa 1875
Antique Gold, Diamond and Agate Shell Brooch, England, circa 1875

Antique Gold, Diamond and Agate Shell Brooch, England, circa 1875

Located in Toronto, ON

Antique gold, diamond and agate shell Brooch, England C.1875 probably by Watherston & Son. The

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond

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Victorian Shell Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact victorian shell brooch you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 14k Gold and Yellow Gold. Finding the perfect victorian shell brooch may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 20th Century. A victorian shell brooch from John Brogden — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. While most can agree that any victorian shell brooch from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Diamond version from the 6 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes mixed cut and old european cut alternatives. Finding a victorian shell brooch for sale for women should be easy, but there are 42 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Victorian Shell Brooch?

Prices for a victorian shell brooch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $95 and can go as high as $21,632, while this accessory, on average, fetches $1,950.

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. 

Finding the Right Brooches for You

Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.

While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like GucciVersaceDior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step. 

Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.

At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany & Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.

Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.

Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.

Questions About Victorian Shell Brooch
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    As the name suggests, mourning jewelry represents connection to a deceased individual or loved one. In the Victorian era, people were expected to wear mourning clothing and accessories following the death of a loved one. As brooches were popular during the Victorian period, they became a favorite for those who wanted to memorialize the dead. Find a collection of vintage and antique brooches on 1stDibs today.