Antique Edwardian jewelry is named for King Edward VII of Great Britain, who ruled from 1901 until 1910. Classic Edwardian necklaces, engagement rings, earrings and other jewelry are often overshadowed by the more popular style of the era, Art Nouveau, which is a shame. At its best, Edwardian jewelry was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron.
Edward introduced incredibly formal Buckingham Palace court presentations, balls and soirées, resulting in a huge demand for diamond jewels starting with his coronation in 1902. Dozens of tiaras and formal jewels in an updated 18th-century style were purchased from French jewelers Boucheron and Chaumet and from Russia’s Fabergé. The court jewelers Asprey, Garrard, Carrington and the newly opened London branch of Cartier were all overwhelmed with orders for sumptuous diamond jewelry to be worn at the king’s elaborate coronation.
During the Edwardian era, pearls were more valuable than diamonds. The pear-shaped pearl La Peregrina, for example, belonged to some of the most fabulous and strongest women in history and bounced among royal courts in Spain, France and Russia for several centuries. So while today the scale and clarity of a diamond ring matters, back then the size and quantity of your pearls was more important a declaration of wealth. And just as Victorian notions of propriety and femininity began to change after Queen Victoria died in 1901, jewelry design also evolved but there was some overlap with late Victorian styles.
Women of the Edwardian period sported bejeweled headpieces like tiaras and bandeaus with feathered aigrettes. Another popular piece of jewelry that is said to have been directly inspired by Queen Alexandra were colliers de chien, or dog collars — today's choker necklaces — which consisted of either a ribbon decorated with a brooch, a gemstone or several strands of pearls strung closely together.
Two major jewelry houses, Cartier and Boucheron, were founded in the mid-1850s, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthy considered them household names. The Cartier brand became even more desirable once the house became the official jewelry supplier to King Edward VII. Cartier took this title seriously and designed some of the most innovative jewelry of its day, since it was willing to experiment with new materials like platinum and because it was mindful of fashion trends. Filigree settings also became popular. This saw-piercing technique was decorative and at the same time created a sense of lightness.
Perhaps even more important than Cartier’s use of platinum was the founding of De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888. The discovery of new diamond mines made the stone more affordable and prompted the introduction of new gemstone cuts. It is not uncommon to see Edwardian jewels with baguette or briolette diamonds.
Find antique Edwardian rings, bracelets, watches and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique Scottish Quaich or Drinking Bowl by Robert Sawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Scottish quaich. In sterling silver. Smithed by Robert Sawers of Edinburgh in 1901. The quaich is a 2-handed drinking cup or bowl that was tr...
Sterling Silver
Antique English Sterling Silver Heart Match Safe / Vesta by William Hair Haseler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Edwardian figural matchsafe or vesta. In sterling silver. In the shape of a heart. Made by William Hair Haseler of Birmingham, England in 1898. With engraved leaf decorati...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Unusual Sterling and Copper Vase
Located in Riverdale, NY
Late Victorian sterling vase by Tiffany & Co. The body of this sterling vase has been overlaid in copper upon which another layer of silver has been added. 4 ornate etched floriform...
Sterling Silver, Copper
Antique Christofle French Silver Plated Tea Strainer
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine French silver plated tea strainer. By Christofle et Cie. With a pierced and scalloped body, curved legs, ball feet and a turned wooden handle. Simply a wonderful, high-lev...
Silver Plate
Antique Crested Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Tea or Coffee Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique crested tea or coffee service. Comprised of a tall tea or coffee pot with a wooden handle, an open sugar, and a creamer in heavy-gauge sterling silver. Each of the 3...
Sterling Silver
Very Rare Tasmanian S/Silver Souvenir Spoon by Taylor & Sharp. Australia, c1910.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This Very Rare & Important Piece of Australiana is a Sterling Silver Souvenir Spoon by Taylor & Sharp of Hobart & a collector's item ...
Silver
Antique Edwardian English Sterling Silver Hip Flask by Charles S. Green & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine English liquor or whiskey hip flask. In sterling silver. By the Charles S. Green & Co. Silversmith Co. of Birmingham, England. Having a convex crescent shape, an integral t...
Sterling Silver
Antique Edwardian Equestrian Fox Hunt Cut Glass & Silver Liquor Flask
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver-topped cut glass hunting flask. With a narrow tapering cut glass body with a diamond pattern terminating in a screw-top integral s...
Silver
Edmond Tetard Freres Coffee/Tea 5 piece SET C 1895 “SILVERSMITH TO THE KING”
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Beautiful French Coffee or Tea Set Made in 1895 by Edmond Tatard Hand decorated in 950 Silver He was known to be the Silver Smith to the King of France Was appointed to the Royal Cou...
Sterling Silver
English Sterling Silver Crystal Inkstand "George Richards & Edward Brown" 1862
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Description: George John Richards & Edward Charles Brown English Sterling Silver Inkstand, 1862. Candle holder, twin crystal inkwells with silver mounts. Richards and Brown Lond...
Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver
GERRARD & CO. ENGLISH STERLING TAZZA Circa 1843 by "ROBERT GARRARD"
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
GERRARD & Co. ENGLISH STERLING TAZZA Circa 1843 “ROBERT GARRARD” ROYAL SI...
Silver
Antique Edwardian Silver Overlay & Glass Floral Wine Coaster or Table Trivet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wine trivet. With a thick sterling silver overlay in a floral pattern on a glass base. Struck to the side of the rim: STERLING. Simply a wonderful coaster or trivet...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Magnificent Solid Silver Pair Candlesticks 720g Paris France Circa 1798 Georgian
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
A Magnificent Solid Silver Pair of Georgian Candlesticks. PLEASE NOTE: These are not weighted to base, the weight is in Sterling Silver. Dating from the first years when France bec...
Sterling Silver
Edwardian Mappin & Webb 2-Chamber Sterling Silver Inkwell or Desk Standish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine English sterling silver inkwell. In the Edwardian style. With notched corners to the base for pens, a sloped pedestal center that supports two gilt inkwell chambers and a h...
Sterling Silver
Antique Cut Glass & Silver Overlay Fighting Cockerels/Game Cocks Bar Back Bottle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique bar back bottle or decanter. In blown glass with silver overlay. Having a silver mounted rim and etched body. Decorated to the body ...
Silver
Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Sash Buckle by Blackinton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique sterling silver sash buckle. With etched decoration to the front. These buckles were de rigueur accessories during the Edwardian period. Marked to the reverse with...
Sterling Silver
Antique Scottish Sterling Silver, Agate, & Enamel Pepperettes or Pepper Shakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Scottish pepperettes. By J. W. Kirwan & Co. of Edinburgh, Scotland. In the form of miniature tankards. Center-set with diamond shaped agate stones that are f...
Agate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Set of 4 Crested Tiffany & Co Gilt Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine set of 4 antique gilt sterling silver salt & pepper shakers. By Tiffany & Co. Each shaker is engraved to the center with a Crest of a large bird (which appears to be a...
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
G & J W. Hawksley English 925 Sterling Silver & Leather Hip Flask, Antique c1904
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! Finds such as these are rare, as it’s a fascinating piece of the early XX century h...
Sterling Silver
Antique Persian Zoroastrian Parsi Parsee "Muktad" Silver Vase, 1900
Located in OVIEDO, AS
PERSIAN Zoroastrian Parsi Parsee "Muktad" Silver Vase Ca. 1900 Chased in a Shiraz-Persian style (a linkage back to the Parsees’ Zoroastrian roots in Persia). This beautiful vase from the Qajar Dynasty era (1785 to 1925) is originated in Shiraz, a southwest city in Persia and the home of the Achaemenid Persian Empire founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great...
Silver
$2,700Sale Price|40% Off
Sterling Silver European Estate Rococo Hammered Frame with Cherubs
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Beautiful European Estate Rococo Sterling Picture Frame with Hand Hammered Embossed Cherubs holding Wreaths of Garland and Floral Motifs. Sign...
Sterling Silver
Diminutive Kay Ivankovic Sterling Silver & Opal Gemstone Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful 1980's handmade sterling silver vase. By Kay Ivankovic. Kay Ivankovic, the high-level contemporary British silversmith, is known for her flowing, organic forms. This hand-chased vase...
Opal, Sterling Silver
Six-Piece Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Kettle on Cradle W Serving Tray 7.3 Kg
Located in New York, NY
Very Exclusive A Tiffany & Co maker's sterling silver tea set, complete with serving tray. Six Piece Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Complete Tea Set Each piece is signed and e...
Sterling Silver
$4,100
H 3.94 in W 8.27 in
Aesthetic Era Sterling Bowl with Shell Motif by Whiting Manufacturing Company
By Whiting
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This exceedingly rare silver bowl was made in the Aesthetic taste by Whiting Manufacturing Company. The sterling silver bowl features naturalistic repousse motifs of shells and seawe...
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
Cartier Sterling Silver Hammered Carafe/Vase with Engraving
By Cartier
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage sterling silver carafe/vase by Cartier with engraving. Engraving says "WILLIAM P. SCHLOTH STARTED DECEMBER 26, 1955 AND GOING STRONG" ...
Sterling Silver
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
Buccellati Silver Double Handle Bowl
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Buccellati silver double handle bowl, circa 1900s A magnificent work of handmade sterling silver bowl, featuring double handles and flowers motif; marked Buccellati, Made in Italy, ...
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
Antique Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Trumpet Bud Vase 17613 #19618
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver trumpet bud vase by Tiffany & Co. No monogram or engraving. A beautifully simple and elegant trumpet shaped footed vase. Hallmarks date this piece to manufacture un...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.95 in W 79.14 in D 79.14 in
STUNNING 441 GRAMS SOLID STERLING SiLVER SERVING TRADE MADE IN LONDON IN 1904
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely 1904 London made solid Sterling Silver serving tray 441 grams A good looking well made and deco...
Sterling Silver
Large Antique Webster Edwardian Silver Overlay & Glass Wine Coaster or Trivet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine wine coaster or trivet. By the Webster Co. of North Attleboro, MA. With a sterling silver overlay in a floral pattern on a glass base. Marked to the rim for Webster / Sterl...
Silver
Antique Silver Plate Champagne Punch Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Silver-plate punch bowl with grape and vine motif embossed rim. Removable insert for champagne or wine bottle cooling. Circa 1910. Unmarked. Measuring 11" in height and 15" in diame...
Silver Plate
Antique Sterling Silver Napkin Ring engraved "George"
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique napkin ring. In sterling silver. With engraved geometric and leaf garland decoration framing a central panel with the name "George". Simply a wonderful antique napk...
Sterling Silver
Large Antique Edwardian Silver Overlay & Glass Wine Coaster or Table Trivet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wine trivet. With a thick sterling silver overlay with a geometric motif on a glass base. Simply a wonderful trivet! Date: Early 20th Century Overall Condition: ...
Silver
Antique Edwardian Silver Overlay & Glass Wine Coaster or Table Trivet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine wine coaster or trivet. With a sterling silver overlay on a glass base. Struck to the side of the rim: STERLING. Simply a wonderful coaster or trivet! Date: Early 20th Cen...
Silver
Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Napkin Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Edwardian napkin ring. In sterling silver. With raised floral design to the edges and inscribed "Helen". Simply a wonderful napkin ring! Date: Late 19th Century / Early 20...
Sterling Silver
Sold
W 4.5 in D 0.13 in L 7.75 in
Sterling Silver Evening Bag or Purse, circa 1900 London by Samuel Jacob
Located in Venice, CA
This sterling silver mounted purse or evening bag is by English silversmith Samuel Jacob, circa 1900. The beautiful black velvet bag is suspended from...
Sterling Silver
Sold
W 2 in D 0.13 in L 3.88 in
Vintage English Scotch Whiskey Decanter or Liquor Label by A Marston & Co
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage English scotch decanter or liquor label. In sterling silver. By A Marston & Co. The octagonal silver label hangs on a chain and reads: SCOTCH Marked with English hallmarks for A. Marston & Co., Birmingham, Sterling, 1972. Simply a great vintage scotch...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Deakin & Francis Turned Mahogany and Sterling Silver Wine Coasters
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Edwardian style English wine coasters. Comprised of turned wood (likely mahogany) and mounted with sterling silver buttons to the center. By Deakin & Francis of Bir...
Sterling Silver
Set of 6 Edwardian Numbered Sterling Silver Napkin Rings by Adie Brothers
By Adie Brothers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine numbered set of 6 Edwardian sterling silver napkin rings. By the Adie Brothers of Birmingham, England. Each napkin ring has an engraved number 1 through 6. Simply a great ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Cigarette Box, Edwardian, Heavy
By A&J Zimmerman Ltd.
Located in NEWARK, GB
A handsome antique sterling silver cigarette box. This is an early Edwardian box, cedar lined with slot in sides that can be mov...
Sterling Silver