Victorian Jewellery
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Evening Dress/photo 1890 Photo Mugs Pale sleeveless gown pointed waist, watered silk drapery at the back, sash of chrysanthemums worn across the bodice. No jewellery but a large lace fan with ribbon bow.... |
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Vogue For Antique Jewels Photo Mugs Satire on the fad for classical jewellery a woman back from the Grand Tour is laden down with reproduction antique Roman jewellery. .... |
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Bling Jewelry Bridal Victorian Gold-Plated Rhinestone Heart Tiara $49.99 This romantic Victorian bridal tiara features graduating heart motifs set in sparkling rhinestones and white gold plating. Mini-combs secure the headpiece on both sides for added comfort. A sophisticated tiara for a one-of-a-kind wedding. This headpiece will be the perfect hair accessory for your fairy tale wedding, so buy it now!... |
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Black & White Beauty Cameo Hair Jewelry Barrette Francesca Fine Jewelry has taken posh to a new level with our new hair jewelry line. Since the introduction of our line, our hair jewelry has been a big hit! This barrette has a black and white cameo set on a white barrette. So beautiful and unique! From jeans to dressy, you can now experience the beauty of genuine gemstones and genuine beads glistening in your hair! Francesca Fine Jewelry carries... |
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Fuchsia Pink Barrette With Shades Of Purple Cameo Hair Jewelry Barrette Francesca Fine Jewelry has taken posh to a new level with our new hair jewelry line. Since the introduction of our line, our hair jewelry has been a big hit! This barrette is so feminine and would look beautiful in the hair. This fuchsia pink barrette has a luscious shades of purple cameo. From jeans to dressy, you can now experience the beauty of genuine gemstones and genuine beads glistening in ... |
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Light Brown Plush Teddy Bear Bejeweled Keychain Purse Charm 5.5 Inches $9.99 Very cute teddy bear adorned with clear Swarovski crystals. Can be used to hang in your car, purse or room. Material is soft and fluffy... |
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Cream Plush Teddy Bear Bejeweled Keychain Purse Charm 5.5 Inches $9.99 Very cute teddy bear adorned with clear Swarovski crystals. Can be used to hang in your car, purse or room. Material is soft and fluffy... |
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Generator Coils Victorian Ring $39.00 This fine ring is a perfect visual combination of copper coils and pewter skeleton. Any self-respecting Victorian machinist would have to have at least one! A perfect gift for your favorite steampunk fanatic.... |
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Spider Web Antique Filigree Design Silvertone Finish Pocket Watch Necklace Chain Jewelry with with Butterfly Pearl Fashion Necklace -- COMBO PACK $24.99 Exquisitely crafted pocket watch is the perfect gift for any occasion. Beautifully detailed design makes this piece eye catching and elegant. Comes with a complimentary necklace. To view other styles watches sold By Atlantic Seaboard Trading Co., go to: www.amazon.com/shops/atlanticseaboard... |
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Open Flower Petal Motif Filigree Design Silvertone Finish Pocket Watch Necklace Chain Jewelry with with Butterfly Pearl Fashion Necklace -- COMBO PACK $24.99 Exquisitely crafted pocket watch is the perfect gift for any occasion. Beautifully detailed design makes this piece eye catching and elegant. Comes with a complimentary necklace. To view other styles watches sold By Atlantic Seaboard Trading Co., go to: www.amazon.com/shops/atlanticseaboard... |
Victorian Jewellery: What Would You Buy?
Victorian jewellery isn't all about choker necklaces and cameo brooches. Encompassing more than 60 years, there are many diverse types of jewellery pieces and jewellery making styles that epitomise the different eras of the Victorian period.
Queen Victoria herself often influenced the jewellery fashions of the age but jewellery design was also increasingly affected by imports, archaeological discoveries and travel overseas. Artistic expression is often said to be categorised by different periods, namely Romantic, Grand and Aesthetic.
Reflecting the wave of optimism following the crowning of the new young queen and her marriage to Prince Albert, jewellery was designed with romanticism in mind. Pieces were often produced with open gold work with intricate designs based on the filigree, piercing, repoussé and cannetille techniques. With the price of gold high, none of these works had huge amounts of gold but rather the designers took their time manufacturing and would occasionally include thin plates of gold on a piece with perhaps some engraving. Gemstones would accompany the gold with choices of turquoise, topaz, peridot, ruby, sapphires and emeralds to name a few. The designs desired included flowers; serpents, a sign of eternity; lockets with the hair of a loved one enclosed; songbirds and love knots and miniatures. Cameos from conch shells are one of the most famous editions from Victorian jewellery.
Hair jewellery was part of the Romantic period wherein mothers would pass on to daughters how to weave hair into bracelets with gold fittings or enclosure in a locket. This type of Victorian jewellery was used for both mourning and remembrance of the living. Diamonds were worn with eveningwear only and in the daytime more demure jewellery was worn. After Queen Victoria purchased Balmoral Castle in Scotland in 1848, Celtic inspired creations and pebbled jewellery became popular fashions.
The Romantic period ended with the death of Prince Albert. With the queen mourning her loss for the next twenty-seven years coupled with the rise in popularity of the European 'Grand Tour', when the new urban middle classes could show off their wealth and status through magnificent jewellery and fashion, this era is often regarded as the Grand Period. Metals and gems were also used in a grandiose manner. Darker stones such as onyx, amethyst and deep red garnets became the fashion following the queen's tendency to wear black mourning jewellery at this time. Whitby jet in particular became extremely popular for use in mourning jewellery. The price of gold dwindled, so more of the precious metal was used. Reverse painting was used for designing different scenes onto Victorian jewellery that included stickpins, broaches, pendants and cufflinks.
The Suez Canal's construction and the fascination with Egypt gave birth to motifs such as palmettes, lotus flowers and scarabs. In the 1860s Japanese craftsmanship was introduced to England and Asian themes began to show up on the market. When Queen Victoria became the Empress of India in 1876 it infused the Indian notions of art into fashion and design, and revived the use of cloisonné enamels in jewellery design.
The last stage of Victorian jewellery is known as the Aesthetic Period from 1880 until Queen Victoria's death in 1901. With more carefree attitudes bursting out of the fashion scene after the prolonged mourning and absence of the queen, this period brought in playful ideas that included dragons, butterflies and griffins. Diamonds from the new South African mines brought in light to contrast the shadow of the previous period. The fashion conscious Princess Alexandra promoted the use of coral, pearls and sapphires to complement the diamonds. Sterling silver became part of the fashion wherein you could find designs with circus characters, boats, sports, hunting and Japanese fans.
So if you're looking for Victorian jewellery to buy, chances are you'll have a vast assortment to choose from.
About the Author
Based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, Rebecca works for David Frith Jewellery - handmade jewellery designer for clients all over the world. Now offering carefully selected pieces from his
antique jewellery
collection. For affordable antique jewellery online visit =>
http://davidfrithjewellery.com