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.
Silver Sculpture Horse Saddled - Silver
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant handcrafted horse sculpture in solid 925 sterling silver, entirely made in Italy and weighing 910 grams. This refined equestrian figure captures the grace, strength, and nobl...
Silver
Silver Pheasant Sculpture - Silver
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant handcrafted pheasant sculpture in solid 925 sterling silver, entirely made in Italy and weighing 736 grams. This refined animalier piece beautifully captures the graceful form and distinctive elegance of the pheasant through exceptional sculptural detail and masterful Italian craftsmanship. The intricately engraved plumage and long flowing tail feathers create remarkable texture and movement, giving the sculpture a lifelike and sophisticated presence. The rich silver patina enhances the depth of the feather details and highlights the artistry of the hand-finished workmanship. A distinguished decorative object and collectible work of art, this sterling silver pheasant...
Silver
Seeing Double! Rare Meriden Carriage Napkin Holder Set
Located in Addison, TX
Antique Victorian Horse Drawn Carriage Napkin Ring Meriden.
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Oval Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona hand crafted in Italy, Sterling Silver money clip. Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellent quality, but also for the careful at...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Dog Bone Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver dog bone money clip with paw inlay. Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellen...
Sterling Silver
$612Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.35 in W 2.76 in D 0.44 in
Rare Solid Silver Meiji Period Dragon Embossed Cigarette Case and Gold Gilding
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely solid silver Meiji period circa 1870 dragon embossed cigarette case with gold gilt internals If y...
Silver
$612Sale 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
Whiting Sterling Silver Small Bon Bon Spoon with Monogram
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver bon bon spoon by Whiting Manufacturing Co in a floral pattern. Monogram appears to be S (on the top of the back of the handle) Beautifu...
Sterling Silver
$950 / set
H 0.48 in W 0.87 in L 5.83 in
Set of 6 Antique Richard Garten 800 Silver & Dresden Porcelain Dessert Spoons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 antique silver & porcelain dessert (or possibly demitasse) spoons. By Richard Garten. In gilt 800 silver. With raised enamel jeweling to the Dresden porcelain han...
Silver
Cartier Apple Mid-Century Modern Picture Frame Sterling Silver
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning and rare Cartier Sterling Silver Picture Frame in an Apple Motif. The frame is signed Cartier and is a fabulous Mid-Century Modern piece of vintage Cartier. I l...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Handcuffs Key Holder
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, Sterling Silver Handcuffs key holder. Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for their special design and f...
18k Gold, 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...
$3,850 / set
H 0.25 in Dm 3.13 in
Rare Set of 9 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Vine Pattern Butter Pats
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extremely rare set of sterling silver butter pats. In the Vine pattern decorated with raised poppies and other flowers around the rim's edge. By Tiffany & Co. Monogrammed to t...
Sterling Silver
$1,350 / set
W 0.88 in D 0.63 in L 9.63 in
Complete Set of 12 Silver & Mother of Pearl Handled Dinner Knives
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A complete set of 12 mother of pearl knives. A real rarity in the full dinner knife size. Each with a silver-plated blade, solid carved mother of pearl handle, and a sterling silver ferrules. These knives are simply well crafted and of exceptionally good quality. They are amongst the finest mother of pearl flatware...
Silver
Christofle French Sterling Silver 6 Piece Dinnerware Set
By Christofle
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Christofle silverplate flatware set, stamped with the classic OC Christofle hallmark and FRANCE, dates to the late 1930s through the 1940s. The marks correspond to Chris...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Rare Vinaigrette Liquor/Spirits Flask
Located in Troy, MI
Rare Tiffany & Co. Amphora Shaped Vinaigrette-Liquor/Spirits Flask made in 1872, before Tiffany & Co.’s move from Union Square in 1895 to 5th Avenue, New York City, NY. The ‘M’ mark ...
Sterling Silver
Bird Sculpture in Silver
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Bird Sculpture in Silver
Silver
Sold
H 3.25 in W 2.78 in L 4.25 in
Architectural New Orleans Coin Silver Mug by Adolphe Himmel for Hyde & Goodrich
By Adolphe Himmel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An truly special mid-19th century New Orleans coin silver mug made by Adolphe Himmel. The mug depicts a landscape and architectural scene with a hills,...
Silver