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.
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
1838 British Victorian W.Stocker Cup solid 925 Sterling Silver / 130 gr
Located in SE
Victorian Sterling Silver Cup, thick walled, with cast or hammered floral ornaments. Vacant cartouche. This cup has a full set of conventional British hallmarks : maker is W. Stock...
Sterling Silver
1866 British Victorian Cup Tankard Mug solid Sterling Silver / 162 gr
Located in SE
Victorian Sterling Silver Cup, thick walled, with hand - engraved ornaments on all sides except the bottom. Vacant cartouche. This cup has a full set of conventional British hallma...
Sterling Silver
1893 British Victorian Cup Mug solid Sterling Silver / 177 gr
Located in SE
Victorian Sterling Silver Cup, thick walled, with continuous cast ornaments on all sides. Well preserved internal gilding. This cup has a full set of conventional British hallmarks...
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Antique Victorian Electro Plated Nickel Silver Chatelaine with Accessories
Located in London, GB
Fabulous antique Victorian electro plated nickel silver chatelaine, with a magnifying glass that closes into a holder, and a floral decorated pin cushion which is missing its fabric insert, three other attachments are missing. There are five long chains from which the accessories hang, these are decorated with men's faces, they look Asian. The chains are attached to the top piece which is fantastically decorated with a floral design, faces, griffons, and rams. The reverse has a clip which fitted over a belt. It is stamped EPNS, with a crown (which was used before 1896) and a fleur de lis. Measuring maximum length 30cm / 11.8 inches by width 6.3cm / 2.48 inches. The chatelaine is in very good antique condition, with age related patina. There is wear to the silver plating, and age related wear, the clip works well. This wonderful antique Victorian chatelaine...
$4,361Sale Price|20% Off
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
Unger Sitting Bull Sterling Ring Dish
Located in New York, NY
Rare Unger Sitting Bull Sterling Dish with an image of Sitting Bull from the late 19th Century. 1880's USA. Signed. 4.25".
Sterling Silver
Antique S Kirk & Son Footed Coin Silver Shell Form Bowl or Spooner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Offered here for your consideration is a fine S. Kirk & Son coin silver footed bowl. In the shape of scallop shell with a tab handle that has repousse and stipled decoration. Simpl...
Silver
Victorian Sterling Apple Motif Dish, Alvin
Located in Riverdale, NY
Victorian sterling dish by Alvin of high relief apples, branches and leaves. Amazing detail and quality. Monogrammed 1902. Wonderful gift. 6.5" x .75". 1900's USA. Excellent condi...
Sterling Silver
Wang Hing Antique XIXc Chinese 900 Silver Pill Boxes (x 2) - Bamboo & Dragons
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! These intricate Silver pill boxes were crafted by Wang Hing – a renowned Chinese s...
Silver
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
Seeing Double! Rare Meriden Carriage Napkin Holder Set
Located in Addison, TX
Antique Victorian Horse Drawn Carriage Napkin Ring Meriden.
Tiffany & Co. Coffee/Tea Set Antique Victorian Regency Engraved Sterling
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Fabulous Regency Sterling Silver Coffee or Tea set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. This set comprises 3 pieces: coffeepot/teapot, creamer, sugar. In the celebrated pattern t...
Sterling Silver
$202Sale Price|20% Off
ORiGINAL ANTIQUE 1882 - 1901 DANIEL & ARTER A1 SILVER PLATED CREAM OR MILK JUG
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original antique fully hallmarked Daniel & Arter Silver Plated Milk or Cream jug in A1 plate A ...
Silver Plate
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
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
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
Art Nouveau Silver Cigarette Case With Erotic Enamel Painting by F. Reznicek
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite cigarette case with Enamel Paing: Hinged silver box with decorated lid, depiction of a young lady situated in her bed in a luxuriously furnished bedroom, Signature 'Reznicek' in the lower right corner. Inner gilding. Ferdinand Freiherr von...
Sterling Silver, Silver, Enamel
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
Russian Imperial Antique Double Eagle Sterling Silver Glass Inkwell Marked JR
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Russian Imperial inkwell is crafted out of controlled bubble glass and features a hinged sterling silver double eagle lid. Made in Russia...
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
From a German Royal Household Large Serving-Plate 800/0 Silver Germany 1900
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautifully handcrafted serving-plate made of 800/0 Silver in Münster, Germany by Jewellers Osthues, circa 1900 will be an eyecatcher on any festive table. The elegant rim is „D...
Silver
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
Antique Whiting Repoussé Sterling Silver Glove Stretcher
Silver Plate Fruit basket Cherubs Grape Clusters By Derby S P Co Repousse
Located in Monroe Township, NJ
This stunning antique Victorian-era silver-plated basket is an exquisite example of the craftsmanship of the late 19th century. The basket features intricate repousse detailing, with...
Silver Plate
$928Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare 19th Century Solid Bronze Candlesticks August Maximilien Delafontaine, Pair
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this simply stunning pair of solid bronze candlesticks after Auguste-Maximilien Delafo...
Bronze
Antique English Victorian Sterling Silver & Glass Cruet Set by Richards & Brown
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Victorian cruet set. Made George John Richards & Edward Charles Brown of London, England. Comprising of a sterling silver stand w...
Sterling Silver
Elaborate 19th Century French Silver Lapis Letter Opener
Located in Riverdale, NY
Elaborate 19th Century Sterling Silver Gothic Revivial Lapis Lazuli and Garnet Letter Opener. French in origin set with large lapis lazuli and garnet cabochons in elaborate silver Re...
Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Sterling Silver
Set of 8 Antique George Sharp Coin Silver Ball End Nut Picks
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
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
Antique S Kirk & Son Footed Coin Silver Shell Form Bowl or Spooner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine S. Kirk & Son coin silver footed bowl. In the shape of scallop shell with a tab handle that has repoussé and stippled decoration. Simply a great piece of early American coin...
Silver
Antique English Sterling Silver Repousse Ring Stand by William Comyns
By William Comyns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English sterling silver ring stand. By William Comyns. With a scalloped edge and repousse floral designs. The ring nub is monogrammed "ADS". Marked to the base with English hallmarks for Sterling, London, 1888, and William Comyns' maker's mark. Simply a great antique silver ring...
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
Large Antique Sheffield Silver Plate Divided Serving Tureen & Dome Cover
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Sheffield silver plate service piece. A rare and complex serving vessel comprising a handled base with removable li...
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
925 Silver Set of Tea Spoons (x 6) & Tongs, Birmingham, c1898, "J.M.B." 110gr.
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! Rare Antique English 925 Silver Spoon Set, compris...
Silver
Sculpture Horse Saddled in Silver
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Sculpture Horse saddled in silver
Silver
$13,200Sale Price / set|30% Off
James Charles Edington Silver Set, Circa 1840
Located in Princeton, NJ
Coffee, tea, sugar, and cream set featuring gilded interior with ivory fitting, ornate foliate design including an eagle on the lid and an additional Harlequin patterned design. Engr...
Silver, Gilt Metal
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
Carved Coconut With Sterling Silver Mounts Attributed to Horace Woodward & Co
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This wonderful 19th Century carved coconut has been mounted with a silver foot and silver rim. The body of the deep brown coconut has been incised with a tribal geometric pattern bef...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Large Classical 2-Handled Sterling Silver Trophy Cup by Whiting
By Whiting
Located in New York, NY
Two-handled sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Whiting, C 1890. Baluster body with 2 bracket handles on dome foot. Incised lines, foliage, and stylized egg-and-dart motif. Scalloped...
Sterling Silver
Salt and Pepper Shaker - Micheletto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Salt and pepper shaker
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
Victorian-Era Etched Floral with Inlaid "Floral Lady" 3-Piece Silver Belt Buckle
Located in New York, NY
Magnificently detailed, this 3-piece Victorian-era etched Silver buckle of beautiful florals on all three pieces highlights the center buckle with inlaid "Floral Lady". All ...
Silver Pheasant Sculpture
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Silver Pheasant Sculpture
Silver
$2,200 / set
Vintage Sterling Silver Back Bar Bottle
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Vintage sterling silver overlay back bar bottle with five almost matching shot glasses. Very nice leaf design over glass with sterling stopper and matc...
Sterling Silver