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.
Victorian Silver Epergne and Suite of Six Dessert Baskets
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, GB
A Victorian silver epergne and suite of six dessert baskets, in eighteenth century neo-classical style; the epergne with central slat and star pierced basket supported on a waisted e...
Silver
Very Large Antique Victorian Period Sheffield Silver Plate Salver or Round Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very large, Victorian period Sheffield silver plate salver. With a gadrooned piecrust rim, richly engraved center, and ornate bracket...
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
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
$4,312Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.04 in W 3.67 in D 0.91 in
Antique Large Russian Silver 84 Gold Gilt Cloisonné Enamel Cigarette Case
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in Russia solid silver with gold gilt internals Cloisonne Enamel cigarette case...
Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
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
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
Art Deco Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver and Crystal Vanity Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The set includes Tiffany & Co sterling serving tray, it is stamped with serial number 21253, q-tips jar, cotton balls jar, pill box, perfume bottle and tooth brush...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Antique 800 Silver Dresden Germany Hair Curling Iron
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Material: 800 silver Weight: 378 grams Tray dimension: 7.75 x 3 3/8 inches Curling iron dimension: 8.75 x 1.75 inches Marked - Scharffenberg Dresden 800 Unique curling iron set dat...
Silver
$3,800 / item
H 14 in W 14 in D 3 in Dm 12 in L 14 in
Large Mexican Sterling Silver Hand-Hammered Tray by Platería Artística, 1012g
Located in Plantation, FL
Substantial and visually striking sterling silver tray crafted in Mexico by Platería Artística, executed in solid .925 silver and weighing approximately 1012 grams. The tray features...
Sterling Silver
Set of Twelve Georgian Sterling Silver Dinner-Plates
Located in London, GB
A set of twelve Georgian sterling silver dinner-plates, eleven with the mark of Thomas Heming, London, 1774, one with the mark of Sebastian and James Crespell, London, 1769 Each shaped circular with gadrooned border, later engraved with two crests, marked underneath, the single example further engraved with scratch weight '18"3' 9 ¼ in. (24.8 cm.) diam. 205 oz. 2 dwt (6,400 gr.) The crests are those of Shaw and Stewart as borne by the Shaw Stewart baronets, probably for Sir John Shaw...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Heavy Tiffany Co Pat 1869 Deco Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Brand Tiffany& co Type Spoon Material Sterling Silver Metal Purity 925 Spoon Length 7.5'' Long Weight 47.3gr Condition Mint
Sterling Silver
Fabergé Round Cut Glass & Silver Dish
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A Fabergé round cut glass & silver dish, silver laurel wreath and bow handles, fluted silver rim with a cross relief on either side, the circumference of glass with alternate star an...
Silver
A Rectangular Fabergé Cut Glass & Silver Tray
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A rectangular Fabergé cut glass & silver tray, silver circular laurel wreath and bow handles, fluted silver rim with a cross relief on either side, cut glass tray...
Silver
Russian Silver Plate Samovar with Tray Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- The set is made out of silver plate with celluloid/ bone details - The samovar features floral & geometric motifs - The tray stamped with makers marks that are a little worn off (З...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 14.5 in W 22.38 in D 17.5 in
Large Antique Elkington & Co. Armorial Silver Plated Meat Platter & Cover / Dome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine and large antique Armorial silver plate covered warming roast platter. By Elkington & Co. Comprising a large twin handled warming tray and a...
Silver Plate
Kirk Salver - Neoclassical - American Sterling Silver - C 1890
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver salver. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore, ca. 1890. Central acid-etched laurel wreath and floral and foliate border. Beaded rim. Rests on 4 claw-and-ball feet. A bo...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Salver - Georgian Revival - English Sterling Silver - 1897
By Atkin Brothers
Located in New York, NY
Victorian sterling silver salver. Made by Atkin Brothers in Sheffield, England in 1897. Circular with curved sides. Well has etched foliage and central asymmetrical cartouche with en...
Sterling Silver