Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures

by Corinne Davidov, Corinne Davidov, Tom Dawes (Photographs)

An authoritative and gorgeously illustrated survey of Victorian jewelry that focuses on “secondary” jewelry, characterized by bold, playful, romantic, and modern designs.
The many styles of Victorian jewelry presented in this volume are selected from the best collections in the United States and abroad, and shown here in specially commissioned, exclusive color photographs. The photographs showcase the glorious color and style of the rich variety of materials, including Scottish Agate, malachite, and granite, the amazingly modern niello, and the stark black beauty of Whitby jet. For more than half a century, during the reign of Queen Victoria, England and Europe produced some of the most delightful flights of fancy that jewelry has ever taken. Long ignored because of the intrinsic worthlessness of its various materials, today these pieces are increasingly prized for their beauty and workmanship. Surprisingly, this period in jewelry–making did not follow the fussy, overly ornate style that characterized the Victorian era, but rather promoted bold, playful, romantic and “modern” styles. Some of the most unusual pieces were constructed with materials including hair, lava, coal iron, and aluminum. The text gives authoritative and fascinating historical context to the uses of these materials and designs. Many of the most sought–after pieces are made of silver, and popular designs include stars, anchors, hearts, bows and outstretched hands.

Genres: Jewellery

156 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beatiful and informative book. Stumbled upon this large book at my central library's art department. It features wonderful photographs of what the authors call Victorian "secondary" jewelry - those items worn by day and made of non-precious elements like aluminum, chromium, hair and other fads of the day. The pieces offered in illustration are sufficient to give any jewelry collector a good view of items of the time.

A treasure in itself - it is going on my "Wish List" for purchase.

DD@Phila

[Frederic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, not only does it feature Scottish agate (as on the cover) but many other materials often left out of jewelry books, like Whitby jet, cut steel, and Berlin iron. Most of the pieces here are middle-class or upper-middle-class, rather than the much more common emphasis on super-elite pieces of gold, platinum, and diamonds and such. Here, the artistry shines through without the distractions of astronomical value, just nice jewelry that truly reflects its era.