Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
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.
1860s British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Silver, Enamel
1840s French Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 19th Century North American Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Citrine, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
19th Century English Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Amethyst, Gold, Gold-filled
1840s British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Steel, Cut Steel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
1840s British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Enamel, Stainless Steel, Gilt Metal
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, Silver
1840s British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Oriental Pearl, 15k Gold
1860s French Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-19th Century British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
18k Gold, Enamel, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Pearl, Diamond, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1860s French Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Crystal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Portuguese Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Garnet, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
1830s British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Silver, Gold
1870s Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Gold-filled
Early 20th Century British Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s American Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-19th Century British Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Chalcedony, Gold, 9k Gold, Gold Plate
1830s German Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1840s English Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Aquamarine, 15k Gold
1850s French Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s Unknown Antique Early Victorian More Jewelry and Watches
Diamond, Gold