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.
Salt or Pepper Shaker - Silver
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant handcrafted sterling silver salt or pepper shaker, entirely made in Italy and crafted in solid 925 silver, with a weight of 136.3 grams. Designed in the form of a sculptural ...
Silver
Antique Victorian Gilt Sterling Silver Drum Shaped Napkin Ring and Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extraordinarily fine and rare antique American napkin ring. In sterling silver. In the form of a drum with a stippled, gilt finished body and silver tension ropes and clamps. T...
Sterling Silver
1897 British Victorian Spirits Flask solid 925 Sterling Silver / 110 gr.
Located in SE
British Victorian period Sterling Silver Spirits Flask container, rectangular with shapes curved to fit the body's contour, designed to fit in a pocket. British hallmarks : S.M &a...
Sterling Silver
Boxed Set of 6 English Georgian Style Victorian Sterling Silver Demitasse Spoons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 demitasse spoons & sugar nips. In sterling silver. In the George II style. Made by the English silversmiths George Maudsley Jackson and David Landsborough Fullert...
Sterling Silver
Set of 8 Antique George Sharp Coin Silver Ball End Nut Picks
By George Sharp 1
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
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Cream Ladle Sauce Spoon with Pour Spout
Located in Westport, CT
An exquisite antique late 19th to early 20th-century sterling silver cream or sauce ladle, crafted with extraordinary detail and timeless elegance. Featuring a teardrop-shaped bowl w...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling and Enamel Server
Located in Riverdale, NY
Victorian Sterling and Enamel Server made with mother of pearl. The handles and figural leaf hilt are gilt sterling with light blue enamel touches on handle. The Victorians had ser...
Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Set of 10 19th Century Elkington & Co. Silver Plate Dessert Spoons or Shovels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of antique English silver plated desert spoons or shovels. By Elkington & Co. Each spoon with a shovel shaped bowl, a figural handle in the ...
Silver Plate
Antique Durgin Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Fork & Spoon Salad Servers
By William B. Durgin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of sterling silver salad servers. By Durgin (and also bearing marks for Black, Starr & Frost). In sterling silver. With a gold wash to both the spoon bowl and fork ti...
Sterling Silver
Antique French c1825 Sterling Silver Tea Strainer, French Hallmarks.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
An elegant Antique Sterling Silver tea strainer, the bowl formed as a stylised shell and finely executed in intricate openwork piercing, composed of flowing foliate scrolls radiati...
Sterling Silver
Rat Tail Sterling Silver Spoon, London mid XVIII century. Hallmarked. 53.9gr.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
TO U.S.A BUYERS: DON’T SWEAT ABOUT 15% TRUMP’S TARIFF - WE COVER IT BY GIVING YOU 15% DISCOUNT! This rare antique mid XVIII c. Rattail Sterling Silver Spoon is bearing London hal...
Sterling Silver
Antique S/Silver Spoon Set with Sugar Tongs by John M Banks. Birmingham, c1894.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
An Antique Sterling Silver Spoon Set, comprising of 6 tea spoons end handle finely designed in twisted motif with end featuring an Apostle ...
Silver
Antique English c1888 Silver Salt & Pepper Cellars by William Evans, London.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Finely embossed throughout, this pair of antique Sterling Silver salt & pepper cellars date from Victoria era Circular footed, with London hallmarks to the base, also bear...
Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling 2 Silver Salt & Pepper Shaker Set 174 Gm
Located in New York, NY
Two-Piece Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Set 174 Gm Very Exclusive A Tiffany & Co maker's sterling silver Salt & Pepper set It is Signed and Engraved T...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$650 / set
Sterling Silver Jungle Animals
Located in Darnestown, MD
Five sterling silver jungle animals to include: an elephant; a lion; a rhinoceros; a jungle cat and a wading bird with a fish in its mouth. The pieces ...
Sterling Silver
1840 Silver Retrò Salt and Pepper English Set in Silver
Located in Napoli, Campania
Wonderful salt and pepper retrò set realized in silver with a very special flowers and leaves themes engravings. It is dated 1840 and it is english! This set was totally handmade by ...
Silver
$478Sale Price|20% Off
W 2.75 in D 2.68 in L 2.75 in
Bvlgari Roma 1970 Modernist Shot Cup Tumbler in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Shot cup designed by Bvlgari. Beautiful vintage shot cup created in Rome Italy by the luxury house of Bulgari, back in the 1970. This tumbler has been ca...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$477
H 3.15 in W 2.66 in D 0.4 in
Stunning Solid Sterling Silver 1927 Gold Gilt Inside Cigarette Case Ng & Co
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Solid Sterling Silver The Northern Goldsmiths Newcastle upon tyne 1927 engine turned cigarette cas...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Heavy Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
Located in New York, NY
These pair of heavy sterling Silver salt & Pepper shakers features a screw-top. Makers' mark is etched in the center of the base. The height measures 2 1/8 inches, circumferen...
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
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
Vintage Cartier Sterling Silver Giraffe, Lion and Panther Miniature Figurines
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A charming and collectible trio of vintage Cartier sterling silver miniature animal figurines, featuring a giraffe, lion, and panther. Each figure is beautifully modeled with fine de...
Sterling Silver
Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Plated "Lady Bug" Musical Wind-Up
Located in New York, NY
Reed & Barton wonderfully large sterling silver plated "Lady Bug" accented with hammered detailing as well as etching throughout. The "self-wind" musical note plays "You Are My Sunshine...
Vintage Danish Boxed Set 6 Coffee Spoons 925 Silver / 57 gr
Located in SE
Danish set of fine coffee / ice - cream spoons in solid 925 grade Silver decorated with detailed royal crowns on the tips of the handles. Made at the workshop of a of Dansk Guldindu...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Gift Wrapped Design Pill Box Silver 925
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This vintage Tiffany & Co. hinged pill box is crafted in 925 sterling silver and features an elegant gift-wrapped design, showcasing the brand’s attention to detail and timeless...
Sterling Silver, Silver
925 Silver Set of Tea Spoons (x 6) & Tongs, Birmingham, c1898, "J.M.B." 110gr.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Rare Antique English 925 Silver Spoon Set, comprising of 6 tea spoons & tongs by the same maker & bearing English hallmarks, featuring stems of fine...
Silver
Scottish Silver Toddy Ladle with Twisted Horn Handle by James & Walter Marshall
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This delightful toddy ladle was made in Scotland during the 19th century by silversmiths James & Walter Marshall. The piece which is hallmarked for manufacture in Edinburgh carries t...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.25 in Dm 1.75 in
Antique American Victorian Period Sterling Silver Napkin Ring Engraved "Edna"
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American Victorian napkin ring. In sterling silver. With gadrooned edges. Engraved with the name 'Edna' to the center. Marked...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Mounted Match Strike, London, 1896
Located in New York, NY
An antique English green crystal match strike with an unadorned sterling silver collar mount. Made in London, England dated 1896. Fully hallmarked...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Mounted MATCH STRIKE, London, 1899
Located in New York, NY
An antique English green crystal match strike orb with an unadorned sterling silver collar mount. Made in London, England dated 1899. Fully hallma...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Silver Eight Bottle Cruet, London, 1845
Located in London, GB
A Victorian silver eight bottle cruet,the silver frame scroll bordered circular base floral engraved on scroll legs with central loop handle, containing four silver-mounted bottles a...
Silver
Bailey & Co. or George Sharp Sterling Silver Engraved Master Butter Knife
By George Sharp 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Bailey & Co. sterling silver butter knife. It has a twist handle, very thick gauge, and rich engraving throughout. P...
Sterling Silver
Salt and Pepper Shaker
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Silver
Memory Lane by Lunt Sterling Silver Flatware Set, 8 Place Setting
By Lunt Silver
Located in Dallas, TX
Memory Lane Sterling Silver Flatware by Lunt Silver. Circa 1949 . This flatware includes an 8 place setting plus serving utensils. Pieces included: New French Hollow Knife, Fork, Individual Salad Fork, Teaspoon, Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup), Iced Tea Spoon, Cocktail/Seafood Fork...
Salt and Pepper Shaker
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Silver
Benedict Brothers Sterling Fish Serving Set
Located in Bethesda, MD
From the New York firm Benedict Brothers this unusual fish serving set it is original fitted box. Sterling silver 8.35 ounces, Fork 9 inches, 11.5 in...
Sterling Silver
John Smyth Rare Irish Silver Slice or Crumb Scoop Dublin, 1855
Located in Toronto, ON
Rare Irish Silver Slice or Crumb Scoop, Dublin 1855, John Smyth. The Crumber of Kings pattern, engraved crest of a mermaid holding a sword and sceptre. Len...