Aesthetic Period 1885-1901

The Aesthetic Period of Victorian jewelry can be defined as one of reaction against previous jewelry periods. Victorians became disillusioned with fashions and furnishings and sought a way out of the conventions of the past, moving toward a time of more refined artistic taste. William Morris was doing his best to keep the spirit of the Middle Ages alive in spite of the industrial revolution. In 1884, following Morris’ example, a group of craftsmen formed the Art Workers’ Guild. In 1886 a group of artists formed the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and together these two groups set out to woo the public with their work.

The Gibson girl hairstyle depicted in 1890 in drawings by Charles Dan Gibson portrayed women in this new light. The “Gibson Girl” was independent, fun-loving, self-aware and self-assured. Hair combs, often carved from tortoise shell and embellished with gemstones, were essential accessories for this “modern” coiffure. New sporting activities for women, such as bicycling and golf, led to dramatic feminine wardrobe adjustments. Keeping the hands free, long chains held coin purses, watches, and lorgnettes. Whistle bracelets were a must for ladies who took long rides by themselves allowing them to summon help from a two-mile radius.

Women were increasingly involved in the business world. Working in politics they founded the Primrose League in 1885 and the Women’s Liberal Federation in 1886 working furiously toward achieving the right to vote. Young women were going to college and taking an active interest in sports and leisure activities. Fashionable women wanted to achieve the impression that they were a bit naughty or frivolous thus showing the world they were modern or fin de siècle.

In spite of these new jewelry necessities for the modern Victorian woman, in general, women wore much less jewelry and very little during the day. Diamonds were perceived to be in poor taste during the daylight hours. In 1890 the Jewellers’ Association, fearing that women had abandoned jewelry altogether, appealed to the Princess of Wales for her help. She purchased a few things and tried to set an example, but dress balls and the opera were the only occasions that brought out any display of jewels at all.

Throughout the 19th Century, international exhibitions played a major role in introducing the public to innovations in art and industry. Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the discovery of America, Chicago hosted the 1893 Colombian Exposition. The highlight of the show was electricity. Visitors to the show were awestruck by fabulous, illuminated displays by some of America’s top designers like Tiffany and Gorham. Case after case of Victorian chains, rings, bracelets, earrings, and watches were met with great enthusiasm. The jewelry was lighter and on a smaller scale than in previous years. Weighty Victorian brooches were replaced by smaller pins scattered on the bodice of a dress and diamond brooches were often worn in the hair for evening. Small stud earrings were desirable as the latest Victorian hairstyles exposed the ears.

The new generation of jewelry designers were appalled by the blatant copying of historic jewels and heavy-handed creations of their predecessors. They sought to break with the tradition of imitative jewelry and create something completely new. Soft curves and natural shapes with more delicate coloring were the result of this overreaction to the past. Gemstones were cut en cabochon with a preference for amethysts, emeralds, and opals. C.R. Ashbee, a leader in the Arts and Crafts movement, was one of these new designers. Coming from the belief that jewelry should be designed for its intrinsic beauty and not its intrinsic value, Ashbee used pink topaz and amethyst set in dull silver or gray gold. Other jewelers followed suit.

A design called a lace pin (a short bar pin/safety pin with a small design on top) along with bar brooches and delicate pendant necklaces were particularly popular decorated by shamrocks, stars (more dimensional than their previous iteration), knots and, most importantly, hearts. Some of these jewels were so small as to seem invisible, but they were “new” and that made them charming. The passion for novelty jewelry was still fueling the jewelry industry but, to keep it fresh, new designs were introduced. The “honeymoon” brooch was a favorite, designed as a bee perched upon a crescent moon. Other silly novelties included diamond chickens, jeweled lizards, frogs, and owls.

Jewelry of the Aesthetic Period

Victorian Hair Barrettes.	HAIR ORNAMENTS & TIARAS	Tiaras were often necklaces with the ability to be attached to a fitted rigid frame so as to do double duty. Individual elements from these necklace/ tiaras could be removed and worn as pins and pendants. Russian styled tiaras with their spiky kokoshnik shapes were very popular in the 1890’s. Pins and brooches also doubled as hair ornaments securing chignons and curls along with tortoise and horn carved combs and hairpins. Miniature coronets or tiaras set on small combs and worn above the hairline at the center of the head adorned more than a few fashionable Victorians.
Victorian Diamond Drop Earrings. Circa 1890.	EARRINGS	From 1880 to 1890 earrings were fairly small, a single pearl for day and diamond studs in the evening. Pendant earrings re-appeared in the 1890s and were usually designed to move and catch the light and were studded liberally with diamonds. Screw back earrings made and appearance at this time and women were freed from having to pierce their ears.
Victorian Diamond Crescent Brooch. Circa 1895.	BROOCHES & PINS	Brooches were small, delicate and plentiful. Quantity was definitely more important than continuity of design or theme. Elaborate star brooches, preferably set with diamonds, but sometimes with pearls, moonstones or opals, crescent brooches encrusted with diamonds and diamond-set sunburst brooches were the most popular. Gem-set butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, bees and flies along with enameled birds, violins, anchors, and arrows were in vogue. Frogs and lizards set with demantoid garnets and insects with plique-à-jour wings were other stylish motifs. Novelty and sporting brooches along with bar and feather brooches continued to flourish. Prince Edward’s love of horse racing ensconced the horseshoe as a good luck charm.
Victorian Amethyst & Diamond Bracelet.	BRACELETS	Bracelets were worn in multiples, but instead of straps, bangles both wide and narrow clinked together decorated with diamonds, pearls, rubies, and sapphires. Sprung and hinged bangles and cuffs, as well as gold link bracelets, were fashionable. Bangles composed of multiple wires topped with a flower, scroll or geometric motif and velvet ribbons with diamond openwork slides predominated.
Victorian Opal Necklace.	NECKLACES	Necklaces took on a fringed appearance and graduated rows of diamonds dangled from a delicate chain. Diamond necklaces designed as a series of flowerheads joined by foliate motif links and suspending diamond set chain swags displayed the new delicacy. Victoria’s daughter-in-law, Alexandra, was setting fashion trends long before she became Queen. The collier de chien French style dog collar necklaces she wore to conceal a scar were an instant success in England and America. Other necklaces were combined with the dog collar including strands of pearls and diamond riviére necklaces. Both long sautoirs and chokers remained popular into the next century.
Victorian Engraved Perfumer Pendant.	PENDANTS & LOCKETS	The brooches of this period were often outfitted to do double duty as pendants. Crosses and hearts were the essential pendants for every "modern” Victorian woman. Hearts were often enameled in red green or blue with a central pearl or diamond. Lockets were smaller, generally, round with a monogram or set with a small gemstone. Longchains suspending a watch or lorgnette, often with enamel decoration, appeared around this time.
Victorian Diamond Engagement Ring.	RINGS	Circa 1895 the earliest examples of Victorian solitaire diamond rings, set in both gold and silver appeared. Discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa were the impetus for the popularity of these rings. Crossover rings defined the period. A pair of diamonds, a diamond and a ruby or sapphire, two pearls, crossing in the center, with scrolled shoulders are still in vogue. Class rings and association jewelry became a thriving business. Multi-hooped rings with a small gem-set motif perched in on the top with a heart, crown or ribbon motif was a popular style held over from the eighteenth century.

Sources

• Becker, Vivienne. Antique and Twentieth Century Jewellery: Second Edition: Colchester, Essex, N.A.G. Press Ltd., 1987.
• Bennett, David & Mascetti, Daniela. Understanding Jewellery: Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: Antique Collectors’ Club, 2008.
• Flower Margaret. Victorian Jewellery: South Brunswick, New Jersey: A.S. Barnes and Co., Inc., 1967.
• Gere, Charlotte and Rudoe, Judy. Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria: A Mirror to the World: London, The British Museum Press, 2010.
• Romero, Christie. Warmans Jewelry: Radnor PA: Wallace-Homestead Book Company, 1995.