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.
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
19th Century Sterling Silver Butter Dish with Cow Finial
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Victorian sterling silver and glass butter dish hallmarked Sheffield 1859 - 1860 by Henry Wilkinson & Co. Glass dish with a serpentine - sterling silver under plate with a molded rim cavetto-dome lid with recumbent cow finial...
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
$596Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.58 in W 0.56 in D 0.24 in
Rare Set of 6 Liberty London Fully Hallmarked Sterling Silver 1929 Desert Knives
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of six Liberty London Sterling silver dessert cutlery knives ...
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
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...
Allan Adler Salad Servers
By Allan Adler
Located in Darnestown, MD
Modernist set of salad servers by Allan Adler in sterling and ebony. Streamlined and elegant. Spoon is 13" in length; fork is 12 7/8". Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
Hector Aguilar Sterling Pie Server
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant and most unusual pie server by Hector Aguilar. The server measures 10 1/4 inches in length and 3 1/4" at the widest. The handle is beautifully thre...
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
$390Sale Price / set|25% Off
W 1.4 in L 3 in
French Silver-Plated Salt and Pepper Shakers by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Mid-Century Set of 2 Circa 1970s Made in France Elevate your tabletop with this elegant pair of French silver-plated salt and pepper shakers by Christofle, a distinguished...
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
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Design English Dessert Fruit Set Martin Hall Co
Located in Toronto, ON
Set of 24 Antique English Silver Plate Lunch Dessert knives and forks, C.1853, Martin Hall & Co. The Service comprises 12 knives and 12 forks, tapered quadrilateral handles; the hand...
Tiffany & Co Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Fish Server w/Mono 11 1/8" #15320
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver fish knife or server by Tiffany & Co in the Chrysanthemum pattern with monogram. Monogram appears to be B The Chrysanthemum pattern, designed by Charles T. Grosjean...
Sterling Silver
$320Sale Price / set|20% Off
L 4.5 in
Marina J. One of A Kind Antique Sterling Silver and Baroque Pearl Spoons
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ultimate One of A Kind Antique Spoon set from Marina J. This set of six spoons features Vintage Sterling Silver and are all stamped on the bottom. Me...
Pearl, Silver, Sterling 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...