Also called Romantic period jewelry, antique early Victorian jewelry and watches were a celebration of the young monarch’s love.
When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. While this may seem a bit simple for our contemporary tastes, the serpent symbolizes eternity, and has become a popular motif in jewelry. The tail in the serpent’s mouth forms an unbroken circle. This dewy-eyed happiness trickled down to the masses and men and women favored jewelry that was sentimental and full of symbolism. Today, antique Victorian jewelry is very coveted and highly collectible.
Romantic period jewelry tends to be feminine and ornate. Flowers, hearts, birds, and bows were just some of the common decorative motifs. These pieces were embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise. It was common to express your devotion with jewelry — REGARD and DEAREST rings were particularly popular. These rings were set with stones that corresponded to each letter: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond.
Most often, the design of the ring was simple, with the stones going across the shank of the ring in a line, but it was not uncommon to see a REGARD ring in a flower formation, with each stone set in the petal of the flower.
Another common early Victorian ring style was two hands clasping a flower or stone. They came in many styles and were made of coral and ivory but also of gold with precious and semiprecious gemstones. These rings, while not exclusively Victorian, are often associated with the time period and symbolized friendship. Lockets enclosed with hair, cameos depicting cupid or a loved one’s face and enamel pieces were also popular.
The early Victorian period corresponded with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Jewelry, no longer made only by hand, became more affordable during the 19th century. The growing middle class also helped increase the demand for it. This was reflected in how women styled their jewelry; they were not afraid to adorn themselves from head to toe with stacking and layering in between. Considering the time period (this was before the California Gold Rush), a lot of pieces in the Romantic period were made using low-karat gold or were gold-plated. Fine gold wire was also employed frequently to add to the design. This is a nice trick to know when determining the date of Victorian jewelry.
Find a range of antique Romantic period brooches, necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Tiffany & Co. Coffee/Tea Set Antique Victorian Regency Engraved Sterling
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Fabulous Regency Sterling Silver Coffee or Tea set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. This set comprises 3 pieces: coffeepot/teapot, creamer, sugar. In the celebrated pattern t...
Sterling Silver
$13,200Sale Price / set|30% Off
James Charles Edington Silver Set, Circa 1840
Located in Princeton, NJ
Coffee, tea, sugar, and cream set featuring gilded interior with ivory fitting, ornate foliate design including an eagle on the lid and an additional Harlequin patterned design. Engr...
Silver, Gilt Metal
Six-Piece Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Kettle on Cradle W Serving Tray 7.3 Kg
Located in New York, NY
Very Exclusive A Tiffany & Co maker's sterling silver tea set, complete with serving tray. Six Piece Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Complete Tea Set Each piece is signed and e...
Sterling Silver
$395
H 0.38 in W 1.37 in L 3.15 in
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Figural Shell Tea Caddy Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver tea caddy spoon. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. With a scalloped shell bowl and a wide tab handle. Fully marked to the reverse. Simply a wonderful Tiffany tea caddy...
Sterling Silver
Lapis Lazuli Silver Plated Spoon Set of Six by Marina J.
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing One of a Kind Spoon Set by Marina J. Each spoon in this set of 6 is composed of clean and graceful lines giving this elegant set a modern flare. The lapis lazuli beads attach...
Lapis Lazuli, Silver Plate
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver 5 Piece Tea Service in Pattern 80
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A five-piece tea and coffee service in sterling silver with ebony handles and finials in Georg Jensen's pattern 80, designed in 1915, hallmarked for a post-1945 manufacture. While Jensen's reverence for traditional Danish design and interest in themes of nature were often married in equal part to the popular Art...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,950Sale Price|39% Off
Archibald Knox Liberty Tudric Pewter Tea Set and Tray, circa 1905
Located in Toronto, ON
Archibald Knox Liberty Tudric pewter Tea set and Tray, C.1905.Teapot, cream jug, sugar and tray, each with relief whiplash curved celtic ornament interl...
$320Sale Price|20% Off
L 4.5 in
Marina J. Mothers Day Gift, Vintage Silver Plated Spoon Set with Baroque Pearls
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of A Kind Marina J. Vintage Silver Plated Spoon set of 6, reworked to have gorgeous Baroque Pearl tip details. The cultured Baroque Pearls Di...
Pearl, Silver Plate
$240Sale Price|20% Off
L 3.75 in
Marina J 6 Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Tea Spoon Set with Lapis Lazuli Stones
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of 6 rhodium-plated sterling silver teaspoons with lapis lazuli stones are elegant, with spiral handles. These vintage spoons were re-imagined ...
Lapis Lazuli, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,117Sale Price|25% Off
W 1.75 in L 4 in
Antique Norwegian Silver & Cloisonné Enamel Cup and Saucer Set by David Andersen
Located in New York, NY
A rare and exquisite find for collectors of fine European silver and decorative arts, this Antique Norwegian Silver and Cloisonné Enamel Demit...
Silver, Enamel
Antique Christofle French Silver Plated Tea Strainer
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine French silver plated tea strainer. By Christofle et Cie. With a pierced and scalloped body, curved legs, ball feet and a turned wooden handle. Simply a wonderful, high-lev...
Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Tea Caddy with Monogram #16850
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver tea caddy by Tiffany & Co with monogram. Monogram appears to be MSC This beautiful urn style tea caddy is done in an Art Deco pattern featuring flowers and lines. P...
Sterling Silver
$1,800
H 0.5 in W 3.5 in L 6.75 in
Alexandra Solowij Watkins Modernist Sterling Silver Tea or Cocktail Strainer
By Alexandra Watkins
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Offered here for your consideration is, A fine Mid-Century Modern hand-crafted tea strainer. In sterling silver. By Alexandra Solowij Watkins. Solowij Watkins is a renowned Polish-American female silversmith. After training in Montreal she was hired by Gorham as one of the important designing artists - a peer of John Prip and Mary Ann Scherr...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Three-Piece Coffee Service
Located in New York, NY
A mid 20th century, circa 1960-1970, three-piece Tiffany & Co. sterling silver coffee service comprised of a coffeepot, creamer and sugar bowl. Signed: Tiffany & Co. England Sterlin...
Sterling Silver
Antique American Samuel Kirk & Son Co. Repoussé Sterling Tea and Coffee Service
Located in Baltimore, MD
Antique American Samuel Kirk & Son Co. Sterling Repoussé Tea & Coffee Service 6 Piece Set. Scenic landscape pattern of castles, ram heads, deer, other anim...
Sterling Silver