Queen Victoria’s ascension to the throne in 1837 marked the start of the Victorian period, so aptly named in honour of one of the most influential person at that time. The era ended during her death in 1901, which gave way to the Edwardian era. The Victorian era is known for its three distinct periods, which reflected the phase of the queen’s life at that time.
The Early Years Of The Victorian Period
When the Georgian period ended, the often referred to as ‘the troubled times’ of the years 1837 to 1848 was the rise of demand for elegant jewellery, especially among the middle class. It was the time when the middle class were demanding certain rights and flaunting their wealth at the same time.
The 3 Notable Time Periods Of The Victorian Jewellery
Queen Victoria, as the monarch that time, was looked up to and became the basis of trends. Jewellery designs were heavily influenced by her. At the time of her reign, she was able to affect and dictate the style of her subjects in three major periods. These three periods in her life were reflected in the design of jewellery. Stores like Kalmar Antiques sell antique jewellery and their collections include some stunning examples of the Victorian jewellery, which avid collectors should have a look at, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned one. A quick search using Google should lead you to reputable antique dealers with online catalogues and would gladly show you around their collection.
- The Romantic Period (1837-1861) – This may be the most recognisable period and the one period we most associate Queen Victoria with, as this was her glory years. It was the time she became the queen, married Albert who was the love of her life, and bore nine children. The cheerful style of jewellery that blossomed during this period depicted the queen’s happy times. Floral motifs, yellow gold and brightly coloured gemstones were used. Another common characteristic of the period was the snake motif, as were pendants, lockets, broaches, and cameos. Due to the strict social protocols of the era, young lovers would often share secret messages inscribed in their jewellery.
- The Grand Period (1861-1880) – When Albert became ill with typhoid fever and eventually died in the year of 1861, The Grand Period, known as the time of mourning began. People wore black to share the queen’s deep mourning, and even the jewellery at that time were often adorned with black onyx. Jewellery was plain and solemn, so different from the cheerful designs of The Romantic Period. You can find at least one rare antique piece that’s a fine example of that era in some of the most reputable antique shops today.
- The Aesthetic Period (1880-1901) – This was the time when her ideas of fashion were mainly outshone by those of her children, who took her position as the trendsetters of the period. During Victoria’s 60th Jubilee, to depict celebration, jewellery were mostly made with gold, silver and diamond. You can view many of those exquisite pieces at the websites of reputable antique dealers.
The Victorian style jewellery still remains popular among a lot of women all over the world, and you can find diverse range of styles from that era at an online antique dealer. Buying authentic items from that era is among the wisest investment decisions to make, as antiques, especially these pieces that are over a hundred years old, are rare and very much appreciated in their style. Rest assured that they will appreciate in value, especially when well taken care of. As you continue to increase your collection, it is worth acquiring one of these pieces which you can hand down to the next generation or later on sell at a higher price.