Collection: Antique

Gold and silversmithing from bygone times

Welcome to our antique jewelry category! Discover historical jewelry that tells stories of past eras. Antique jewelry encompasses a variety of styles and eras, the time periods and names of which vary or merge into one another in some countries. In England, the Georgian era is followed by the Victorian era and then by the Edwardian era. The exact time period in England is determined by reigns. The Georgian era (1714 - 1837) describes the reigns of George I to George IV. The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) derives from the reign of Queen Victoria. And the Edwardian era (1901 - 1914) is generally defined by the accession of Edward VII to the throne and the outbreak of World War I.

In Central Europe, the period from the 1730s to the 1770s is known as Rococo. Jewellery from this era differs from the opulent jewellery of the Baroque period through elegant and delicate work, which is characterised by rocaille ornamentation. Particularly noteworthy here are Giardinetti jewellery such as brooches and rings, which combined floral motifs with precious stones and diamonds. The body of the work was often made of gold, while the stone settings were set in silver to make the white stone setting stand out better. Due to the high price of diamonds, white sapphires or white paste were also used as a substitute.

From the 1780s onwards, there was a return to ancient ideals and a clearer and stricter formal language. Pearls, gems and cameos characterise the era of classicism. Precious gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds do not go out of fashion, but in contrast to the Rococo period, they are less often combined with one another in order to emphasise the clarity of the jewellery.

In 1814/15, European rulers gathered at the Congress of Vienna to bring the era of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars to a close. The Biedermeier era represents the idealization of the past before the French Revolution and the retreat into the private sphere to find security and stability. The era ends with the German Revolution in 1848. Biedermeier jewelry is often made of gold foil and set with colored stones such as garnet. The jewelry is often enameled to decorate it. Medallions and miniature portraits are very popular.

The second half of the 19th century saw a comeback of past styles. Between 1850 and 1900, jewelry from the Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and especially the Renaissance eras was reissued. Mythology played a major role in historicism and hybrid creatures such as the griffin became a popular motif in jewelry design. High-quality neo-Renaissance silversmith work was produced particularly in Austria-Hungary (Transylvania). Biblical figures such as Saint George were worked in silver and enameled as dragon slayers. Emeralds from the Austrian Habach Valley as well as red garnets and diamonds were often used.