Collection: Victorian Era (1837 - 1901)
Victorian era jewelry, spanning from 1837 to 1901 during Queen Victoria's reign, represents a rich tapestry of ornate designs and sentimental motifs that reflect the societal values and trends of the time. The jewelry of this era is characterized by its intricate craftsmanship, romantic symbolism, and the use of a diverse array of gemstones and materials, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and deeply meaningful.
In the early Victorian period, jewelry often featured nature-inspired motifs such as flowers, leaves, and birds, symbolizing sentiments of love, beauty, and renewal. As the era progressed, jewelry designs became more elaborate, incorporating a wide range of gemstones including diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and rubies, set in intricate gold and silver settings that showcased the craftsmanship of skilled artisans.
Symbolism played a significant role in Victorian era jewelry, with pieces often conveying hidden messages or sentiments through the use of specific gemstones or motifs. Acrostic jewelry, for example, used gemstones to spell out secret messages, such as spelling "regard" with the first letters of the gemstones ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, and diamond.
Mourning jewelry also became prevalent during the Victorian era, particularly after the death of Queen Victoria's beloved husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. Pieces made from black jet, onyx, and other dark gemstones were worn to symbolize mourning and remembrance, reflecting the somber mood of the time.
Overall, Victorian era jewelry is a testament to the craftsmanship, symbolism, and sentimentality of the era, each piece serving as a tangible link to the past and a reflection of the fashion, culture, and values of the Victorian period.
In the early Victorian period, jewelry often featured nature-inspired motifs such as flowers, leaves, and birds, symbolizing sentiments of love, beauty, and renewal. As the era progressed, jewelry designs became more elaborate, incorporating a wide range of gemstones including diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and rubies, set in intricate gold and silver settings that showcased the craftsmanship of skilled artisans.
Symbolism played a significant role in Victorian era jewelry, with pieces often conveying hidden messages or sentiments through the use of specific gemstones or motifs. Acrostic jewelry, for example, used gemstones to spell out secret messages, such as spelling "regard" with the first letters of the gemstones ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, and diamond.
Mourning jewelry also became prevalent during the Victorian era, particularly after the death of Queen Victoria's beloved husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. Pieces made from black jet, onyx, and other dark gemstones were worn to symbolize mourning and remembrance, reflecting the somber mood of the time.
Overall, Victorian era jewelry is a testament to the craftsmanship, symbolism, and sentimentality of the era, each piece serving as a tangible link to the past and a reflection of the fashion, culture, and values of the Victorian period.