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.
1868 British Victorian Wine Jug Decanter solid Sterling Silver 673 gram
Located in SE
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Wine Jug Decanter made at the workshop of Alexander Macrae, London in 1868. Full set of British hallmarks on the neck and the rim of the original st...
Sterling Silver
$1,600
H 3.13 in W 1.5 in L 5.5 in
Figural Israel & Son Ltd. Sterling Silver Cow Creamer or Milk Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine figural sterling silver creamer or milk pot by Israel Freeman & Son. In the form of a cow with a loop 'tail' handle, hinged lid to the back, and spout at the mouth. A t...
Sterling Silver
Brandimarte 925 sterling silver large tulip wine glass
Located in Perugia, IT
925/ooo sterling silver tulip wine glass Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Made entirely by hand Weight g 226 Height 21 cm Base cm 7 Hammered workmanship has always bee...
Sterling Silver
George III Sterling Silver Creamer by Robert Hennell I
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A small, George III period, sterling silver creamer by London silversmith Robert Hennel I, with period monogram. The creamer features an intricate monogram under the lip which is lik...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pampaloni taste & drink wine cups silver plated wooden package
By Pampaloni 1
Located in Perugia, IT
Silver-plated Pampaloni taste & drink wine cups with wooden box Manufactured by Pampaloni - Florence - Italy 2 cups + wooden box Weight cups g 328 Height 7 cm Diameter 9 cm Table g...
Silver Plate
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
$1,330Sale 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
Judaica Sterling Silver Havdalah Compendium Cup by Swed
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
This Havdalah sterling silver compendium was handcrafted in Jerusalem by Dudek Swed of the Swed Master Workshop in the last century. Each creation i...
Sterling Silver
Asprey & Co Georgian Style Sterling Silver Wine Funnel
By Asprey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine English sterling silver wine funnel. By Asprey & Co. The funnel consists of three pieces - the funnel, the spout, and an interior ring that sits where the two connect. Sim...
Sterling Silver
Brandimarte sphere tumbler in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
925/ooo sterling silver ball cup Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Made entirely by hand Weight g 122 Height 7 cm Diameter cm 7 Hammered workmanship has always been a h...
Sterling Silver
1920’s French Sterling Silver Large Challah Goblet Cup
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant antique French silver goblet showcases refined craftsmanship and timeless form, featuring a hand-hammered finish that gives the surface a beautiful, softly textured char...
Sterling Silver
A George III silver wine funnel
Located in London, GB
A George III silver wine funnel, with reeded border to the top, hallmarked Sterling silver, London, 1801, bearing the maker’s mark of Charles Chesterman II, measuring approximately 9...
Sterling Silver
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 4 in D 2 in
Sterling Silver and Crystal Syrup Jug, Mid-20th Century, England
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Materials & Design Sterling Silver Top Featuring a marked sterling lid and handle, the jug’s top portion exhibits the gleaming luster associated with high-quality silve...
Crystal, 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
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
Elegant Pair of French Belle Epoque Silver and Cut Glass Decanters
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Belle Epoque cut-glass decanters with 950 silver mounts. Made by Andre Aucoc in Paris, ca. 1900. Each: baluster body in clear glass with cut and faceted diaper pattern. Ra...
Silver
Grape Decanter - American Clear Glass & Silver Overlay - C 1890
By Alvin Goldfarb Jewelers
Located in New York, NY
Clear glass wine decanter and stopper with 999 silver overlay. Made by Alvin in Providence, ca. 1890. Decanter: baluster body, circular foot, cylindrical neck, and everted rim. Stopp...
Sterling Silver
Bohemian Glass Decanter with Ruby Flashing and Silver Mounts C 1900
Located in New York, NY
Bohemian glass decanter with 800 silver mounts, ca. 1900. Faceted and baluster body with flared base and faceted foot. Cylindrical neck mounted to faceted knop. Stopper is faceted and concave with short plug. Decanter and stopper have alternating and clear and ruby flashed glass...
Sterling Silver
Large German Silver Gilt Tankard with Classical Frieze
Located in New York, NY
German silver gilt tankard with Classical frieze, ca. 1880. Tapering cylinder, scroll handle, double-dome hinged cover with piecrust rim, and bun foot...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany Sterling Silver Vanity Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver vanity mirror. Made by Tiffany in New York, ca. 1900. Rectangular silver frame with straight molded sides, curvilinear bottom with 2 scrolled feet, and repousse crown...
Antique English Silver Glass Claret Jug Hallmarked 1896
By W & C. Sissons 1
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique English Silver parcel gilt and Glass Claret Jug, hallmarked, Sheffield in 1896, Walter & Charles Sissons. The Claret Jug mount and hinged cover chased with trailing scroll fo...
An American Silver Water Pitcher TIFFANY & CO., New York
Located in Firenze, IT
An American Silver Water Pitcher, TIFFANY & CO., New York, Circa 1880 Of baluster form, the body densely chased wi...
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
Whiting Sterling Mixed Metals Water Pitcher Circa 1885
Located in New York, NY
This pitcher is a magnificent example of Whiting Mfg. Company’s line of sterling and mixed metals pieces produced in the 1880’s in their Providence, RI workshop. The pitcher is sinu...
Sterling Silver
Viennese Silver Gilt Enamel Ewer, Hermann Böhm, Circa 1880
By Hermann Böhm
Located in New York, NY
This is truly one of the most magnificent Austrian Silver Gilt and Enamel Ewers we have had in our collection for several years. The ewer is hallmarked HB for Hermann Boehm or Böhm, and the Vienna, Austria hallmark “A” for pieces made after 1867. Hermann Böhm...
Sterling Silver