Jewelry in the 19th Century

Description: 

During the 19th century, jewelry was a marker of social status, it was also highly commodified as we see in mourning jewelry because it allowed people who had passed to be marketable. Mourning was typically made from a lost loved one's hair that would be braided, weaved, or twisted in a fine pattern and then set in a frame; these were also typically engraved with messages.  In terms of non-mourning jewelry of the 19th century, diamonds were very popular with colored gems, opals, moonstones, and pearls gaining popularity in the later years. Jewels pay an important role in "The Canterville Ghost" as a box of jewels is left as an inheritance for Virginia after Sir Simon's death. 

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/94547     https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ajew/hd_ajew.htm    https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/16805   https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/17575

Associated Place(s)

Artist: 

  • https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/94547 https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/17575
Artist Unknown