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.
Antique 18K Swiss Minute Repeater Hunter Case Pocket Watch by William Schochlin
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This antique 55mm hunters case 18K gold minute repeater pocket watch, was crafted by venerated Swiss watchmaker, William Schochlin during the late 1800's. The high grade and entirely...
18k Gold
Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rockford Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1886 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIBE...
$19,651Sale Price|30% Off
W 1.78 in D 0.24 in L 2.29 in
Patek Philippe 1950s Yellow 18K Gold Open Face Pocket Watch
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Men's Burlington 14K Gold Filled Pocket Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Burlington 14k white gold filled pocket watch. Open face, size 12, Model A. Double roller, 21 jewels. The serial number is 5208043, made in 1928. Time tested for 8 hours. Keeps good...
14k Gold, Gold-filled
Antique Ladies Hunter Elgin 4 Color Gold Pocket Watch and 18k Gold Chain
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Antique 14k four color gold hunter case pocket watch made by the Elgin Company around 1908 (based on movement serial # 13333340) features an elaborately decorated 14 c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Waltham Size "O" 14KT Yellow Gold Triple Case Open Face Pocket Watch
Located in valatie, NY
Waltham Size "O" 14KT Yellow Gold Triple Case Open Face Pocket Watch With Fleur de Lis Fob Pin. The case is hallmarked "WARRANTED 14K TO ASSAY" and "Leon W.C. Co.," these cases were ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Rare Swiss Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s
By Unbranded
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rare 18kt Rose Gold Open Faced Keywind Cylinder Musical Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch C.1820s. Dial: The elegant white enamel dial with Breguet numerals, outer minute track, and w...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Large Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Chronograph Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A large 18ct gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Chronograph Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890 . Dial: the excellent white enamel dial with Arabi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Gold Full Hunter Quarter Repeater Calendar Chronograph Pocket Watch C1900
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k Yellow Gold Full Hunter Chronograph Calendar Quarter Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch, C1900's. Dial: A white enamel dial with roman nu...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Kt Gold Hunter Pocket Watch Triple Calendar Moon Phase Chrono Minute Repeater
Located in Antwerp, BE
18 Kt Pink Gold Hunter Pocket Watch Triple Calendar / Quantieme Moon Phase Chronograph Minute Repeater Weight : 138.1 Gram Extremely Solid ...
Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face 18k Gold Pocket Watch
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face Gold Pocket Watch dated January 13 1891 Serial number 96510 and contrast number 213206 Expressly made for JJ Freman Toledo, O Beautiful 43m/1.69 in 18k gold case external lid. Internal lid is plain. Gold sphere, rubys. Protecting cover and front opening. Roman numerals. Porcelaine of sphere is scratched on right down side condition, Working condition t shouldn’t be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s Geneva last November, in case anyone’s wondering). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
English Minute Repeater Chronograph 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Pocket Watch
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A heavy English minute repeater chronograph 18ct yellow gold keyless lever full hunter pocket watch, C1898. Dial: The white enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic numerals. The subsidiary seconds dial is located at six o'clock and the minute recorder dial for the stopwatch is located at twelve o'clock. The original blued steel hands with a gold centre second hand. Case: The massive English hallmarked 18ct yellow gold case (198grm) with plain front and back covers. The slide for the repeater is on the side of the case. The inner cuvette has an interesting inscription stating that the watch was gifted as a Token of respect and goodwill to Brother R. Kelly by fellow members of a Masonic Lodge in March 1899. The casemaker was Philippe Woodman who worked out of Northampton Square, Clerkenwell London Movement: The unsigned fully jewelled and numbered movement with part Swiss engraved on the movement meaning that some components were supplied by Swiss watch houses. The chiming of the hours quarters and minutes are very clear. The chronograph mechanism is located under the dial. This is an exceptionally heavy gold pocket watch...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rose Gold Quarter Repeater Chronograph Keyless Lever Full Hunter Pocket Watch
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rose Gold Quarter Repeater Chronograph Keyless Lever Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1900 Dial: The excellent white enamel dial with Roman Numerals outer minute track and an early tachograph configuration with Louis XVI style hour and minute hands and an unusual and rare chronograph...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Kt Solid Gold Pateck Geneve Spiral Breguet Open Face Pocket Watch
Located in Antwerp, BE
18 Kt Solid Gold Pateck Geneve Spiral Breguet Open Face Pocket Watch Dial: White Enamel dial with black Roman numerals ,2 Rose Cut Diamonds in hour & m...
Gold, 18k Gold
Sold
H 3.01 in W 1 in Dm 2.28 in
Evans Shrewsbury 1763-1856 Sterling Pair Cases Fusee Demi Hunter Pocket Watch
Located in Miami, FL
A hunter pocket watch made by Rich Evans Shrewsbury and Robert Causer. Very fine half hunter pair cased pocket clock, made in Birmingham England by the sil...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Dent Maker to the Queen English 18 Karat Gold Early Wristwatch circa 1870s-1880s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Dent, Watchmaker and Chronometer Maker to the Queen STYLE / REFERENCE: Half Hunter / Military Style Early Wrist Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1880's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm x Diameter 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Lever Escapement DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel / Original Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT What an amazing watch this is. Dent was a legendary watchmaker and clockmaker and helped England rule the world through their navigational timekeepers. This watch is entirely hand made and probably was a custom ordered watch as well because few people wore wrist watches when it produced. It is high grade and beautifully finished with "fire gilded plates...
Bautte & Co. Yellow Gold Mid-1800s Pocket Watch with Key
Located in Birmingham, AL
This beautiful 19th century pocket watch features a unique, intricate engraved design on both sides of the case. The case and dial are in re...
18k Gold
1880s Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
Located in Hicksville, NY
Unique 1880s Pocket Watch Crafted in 18 Karat pocket watch Made by Iconic watch maker Patek Philippe and sold at jeweler A.H. Rodent store front. The hallmarks of the jeweler are vis...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold