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.
1893 British Victorian Cup Mug solid Sterling Silver / 177 gr
Located in SE
Victorian Sterling Silver Cup, thick walled, with continuous cast ornaments on all sides. Well preserved internal gilding. This cup has a full set of conventional British hallmarks...
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
1838 British Victorian W.Stocker Cup solid 925 Sterling Silver / 130 gr
Located in SE
Victorian Sterling Silver Cup, thick walled, with cast or hammered floral ornaments. Vacant cartouche. This cup has a full set of conventional British hallmarks : maker is W. Stock...
Sterling Silver
1866 British Victorian Cup Tankard Mug solid Sterling Silver / 162 gr
Located in SE
Victorian Sterling Silver Cup, thick walled, with hand - engraved ornaments on all sides except the bottom. Vacant cartouche. This cup has a full set of conventional British hallma...
Sterling Silver
Set of 8 Antique George Sharp Coin Silver Ball End Nut Picks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 8 antique silver nut picks. By George Sharp in the Ball End pattern. In coin silver. Simply a great set of nut picks! Date: Mid-19th Century Overall Condition: It...
Silver
$2,200 / set
Vintage Sterling Silver Back Bar Bottle
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Vintage sterling silver overlay back bar bottle with five almost matching shot glasses. Very nice leaf design over glass with sterling stopper and matc...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Flower Victorian Flask
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Victorian flask with overlaid sterling flower motif. PERIOD: Last quarter 19th Century ORIGIN: United States SIZE: 4 1/2"H x 2 1/2"W Barware, Flasks, Silver, Glass, Vintage, Antiqu...
Sterling Silver
Set of Four Victorian Silver Salt Cellars
Located in London, GB
A set of four Victorian silver salt cellars, each designed as scallop shell bearing chased leaf decorations in the rim, with gold gilt interior and foliate design base, made by Danie...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Sterling Silver Hammered Wine Cup #222 #18392
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Denmark Sterling silver Hammered Wine Cup #222 This beautiful wine cup by designer Georg Jensen (Denmark) was meticulously crafted from sterling silver in a gorgeous, h...
Sterling Silver
Set of Four Cartier 'Trinity' Sterling Silver Champagne Flutes
By Cartier
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This set of four sterling silver champagne flutes were made for retail by Cartier during the second half of the 20th century. The set which are crafted from solid sterling silver fea...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Modern Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cocktail Jigger or Measure
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver cocktail jigger. By Tiffany & Co. With a gold wash and stepped, conical sides. Model no. 22714 Simply a great Tiffany cocktail jigger! Date: Mid-20th Cen...
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
$3,950 / set
H 1.46 in Dm 1.86 in
Set of 12 Tiffany & Co Art Deco Sterling Silver Art Deco Shot Cups or Cordials
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 silver cordials or shot glasses. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. Each shot cup with terrific streamlined design including a plunger foot, a tapered body, and...
Sterling Silver
$235
H 2.13 in W 3.25 in D 4.25 in
Pair British Airways Concorde Sterling Silver Napkin Rings in the Original Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of English sterling silver napkin rings. Made for the Concorde supersonic airliner division of British Airways. Fully hallmarked to the back British Airways / London / Sterling / 1992 Simply a wonderful pair of collectible Concorde napkin...
Sterling Silver
Antique Luxurious Bejeweled dessert 18K Gold Filled Coin Silver Porcelain set
Located in SE
Antique Luxurious Bejeweled dessert 18K Gold Filled Silver flatware set in Renaissance style, comprising six knives and six forks in contemporary box. This set is one of a kind,custo...
Garnet, Turquoise, Silver, 18k Gold, Gold-filled
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hip Flask #18399
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hip Flask This beautiful sterling silver flask was crafted from sterling silver by designer Tiffany & Co and is monogrammed "TCC" Approximate measurem...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & CO. Sterling Silver Baby Spoons (Set of 2) #22642
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Baby Spoons (Set of 2) - These elegant Tiffany & Co. baby spoon set is crafted in sterling silver in the original Tiffany blue box. Size: approx. 4.25...
Sterling Silver
$1,327Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 5.12 in Dm 4.73 in
Whisky Glass, Solid Silver, Moon , 1 Piece, Italy
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
K-over whisky glass are our latest creation. The value of this whisky glass lies on the innovative techniques that have been used in its production. As it can be clearly seen from the pictures, the surface of the K-OVER shines as the Moon. This innovative texture provides also a technical advantage: when you touch the cover, no fingerprint is left. The glass has been completely handcrafted by Marco Fedi, a Florentine master goldsmith. The production process took few weeks and the techniques used are spinning and engraving. This glass is produced in pure silver 999...
Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver & Wood Handle Tea Strainer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver tea strainer. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver with a wooden handle. Marked to the underside of the rim. Simply wonderful Tiffany design! Date: 20th Cen...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian 14k Rose Gold Cigar Cigar Nip or Clipper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Late Victorian era cigar nipper. In 14k rose gold. With a steel arm and blade. Etched with an owner's monogram to one side and a date 21-April-94. Simply a fine antique Tobacciana...
Rose Gold
Sold
H 4.25 in W 2.5 in D 1 in
Victorian Hip Flask, Silver, Glass and Faux Snakeskin Leather, James Dixon
By James Dixon & Sons
Located in NEWARK, GB
An attractive antique late Victorian sterling silver and faux snakeskin hip flask. It has a sterling silver lock mechanism cap with the original inner cork, fully hallmarked, the bo...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 13 in W 7.25 in D 5.25 in
Antique Brilliant Period Sterling Silver Mounted Cut Glass Cocktail Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique cut glass cocktail (or juice) pitcher with a sterling silver mount. The body of the pitcher with elaborate, deep wheel-cut decoration and an applied loop handle,...
Sterling Silver
English Sterling Silver Hip Antique Flask
Located in Berkeley, CA
This beautiful sterling silver flask is from the 1860's. The screw top is well designed and secure. The feel of it is yummy smooth and fits nicely in your hand! Any occasion for 'war...
Silver
Dominick & Haff Coasters - Wine Bottle - American Sterling Silver - C 1890
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver wine bottle coasters. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York, ca. 1890, for Bailey, Banks & Biddle in Philadelphia. Each: open scrollwork and flared rim with app...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Goblet - Quatrefoils & Strapwork - English Sterling Silver - 1864
Located in New York, NY
Victorian sterling silver goblet made by Robert Harper in London in 1864. Tapering bowl, knopped stem and raised circular foot. Quatrefoil cartouches with strapwork engraved on bowl....
Sterling Silver
Antique Chinese Silver Tankard, HCH, 1892-1894
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous Antique Chinese Export Silver Tankard made by HCH, of Canton or Hong Kong, 1892-1894. The tankard is of double sided construction, the interior gilded, the exterior applied...
Sterling Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Goblet, Circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
This substantial figural Antique Chinese Silver Goblet was made circa 1880. The underside of the base is hallmarked with Chinese characters. The ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Tankard, LeeChing, C 1860
Located in New York, NY
One of the best pieces of Chinese Export Silver we have had in our collection for a long time, this tankard was made by the renowned silversmith, LeeChing, Circa 1860. The exterior ...
Sterling Silver
Magnificent GORHAM MFG. CO. Sterling Pitcher, 1893
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent sterling silver pitcher was made by the Gorham Mfg. Co. of Providence, RI in 1893. It is fully hallmarked with Gorham’s maker’s mark, style # 5128 and date mark for...
Sterling Silver
TIFFANY & CO. "OLYMPIAN PATTERN" Sterling Tankard, Circa 1895
Located in New York, NY
Monumental American sterling silver Olympian pattern tankard by Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1895. This large tankard was probably originally made as a presentation piece to commem...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Silver Gilt Wine Coasters, RICHARD SIBLEY, LONDON 1839
Located in New York, NY
This regal pair of English Victorian Sterling Silver Gilt Wine Coasters was made by the venerable London silversmith, Richard Sibley, in 1839. Each is ...
Sterling Silver