The Georgian Era: 1714-1837
The reigns of five English monarchs, four called George and one named William, were encompassed under the Georgian period. George I, II, III, IV, and William IV reigned from 1714 until 1837. The term Georgian refers to English art and culture created during this time period. Although the name of the era clearly refers to England, this country was not the only influence on jewellery design. Georgian jewellery patterns and styles were also affected by historical events in France, Germany, and Italy.
Jewellery in the Georgian Era
Jewellery from the Georgian Era, which lasted from 1714 to 1837, was characterized by its intricate and ornate designs. Georgian jewellers were known for their skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail, and they often used a variety of materials including gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, and precious stones. The jewellery of this era was highly influenced by the fashions of the time, which included the use of delicate and feminine designs, as well as more bold and statement-making pieces.
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One of the most popular styles of Georgian jewellery was the Georgian paste. Paste was a type of imitation gemstone made from glass that was cut and faceted to resemble real diamonds. These paste gemstones were often used in conjunction with real diamonds to create stunning and elaborate pieces of jewellery. Another popular trend during this era was the use of enamel, which was used to create colourful and eye-catching pieces. Georgian jewellery is highly collectible and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today for its timeless beauty and historical significance.
What Items Were Popular in Georgian Jewelry?
As we've seen, families commissioned memorial or hair jewellery to honour dead loved ones. During the Georgian period, this was a popular and particularly personal jewellery item. Girandoles (ribbons or bows with three hanging jewels) and rings in navette, oval, and rectangular forms were also popular. Wearing bracelets in pairs was highly fashionable.
Pendeloque
This pair of dangling pear-shaped earrings has 56 table and rose-cut diamonds set in silver with gold backings. A hinge in the front allows the pendeloque to be removed. The pricing of these items is determined by the diamonds and hand-crafted mountings.
Cameos
Jewelers carved cameos from coral, agate, and shell to use in necklaces, brooches, and rings.
This shell cameo mourning pin in 10k yellow gold depicts a lady grieving at a grave. The cameo is obscured by glass, and the departed's weaved hair frames it. The price is determined by the precise features of the cameo. Furthermore, finding undamaged hair on a genuine Georgian jewellery piece is uncommon.
Necklaces
During this time period, women like to wear choker necklaces. One such variant typically seen on an aristocratic lady is the rivière-style necklace, which has individually mounted stones connected close together.
Chatelaines
People carried their critical tools or accessories dangling from pins or hooks affixed to their belts before purses or pockets. These chatelaines, which were both decorative and functional, could contain scissors, watches, writing instruments, notebooks, eyeglasses, and other items. (They were widely used until the 1900s).
The chatelaine below is made of cut steel and comes with a disc-shaped pin cushion, a button hook, a thimble holder with steel thimble, a folding corkscrew for perfume bottles, and a stylish cut-steel attachment. Despite minor rust on the steel from age, this piece is in excellent shape. Such intact chatelaines are quite unusual. Many of these have been disassembled throughout the years in order to be used as pendants.
The Legacy of the Georgian Era
The growing demands of apparently endless foreign conflict, fast industrialization, and social upheaval that spanned five monarchs' reigns did not overwhelm the British people. Despite the House of Hanover's less-than-stellar reputation as monarchs, the United Kingdom emerged from the Georgian era with considerable riches and power, set to lead the globe in the impending Victorian era.