*Timeline*
The Romantic Period (1837 to 1860)
The Grand Period (1861 to 1888)
Late Victorian Period (1888 to 1901)
*About Jewelry in the Victorian Era*
*Jewelry throughout the era usually defined class and status.
*The Romantic Period: It was a time of marital bliss and joyous family life for the young Queen. The jewels of the period reflected a feeling of confident tranquility. Bold gold ornaments were decorated with intricate engraving, delicate enamel work, and serpentine designs. The jewels were often accented with seed pearls, turquoise beads and pink coral. Naturalistic and floral motifs were common.
*The Grand Period: In 1861 Queen Victoria's beloved husband, Prince Albert, died. The Queen sank into an extended period of deep mourning (21 years to be exact) and jewelry naturally took on darker, more somber tones. Whitby jet, dark onyx and deep red garnets were often set in gold jewels with black enamel tracery. The carefree glitter and ostentation of the jewels of the Romantic Period was no longer appropriate.
*The Late Victorian Period: In the Late Victorian period people and fashion turned away from the staid somberness and historical focus of the Grand Period. After 27 years, everyone, including the Queen, was ready to bring the mourning period to an end. People were ready for some fun and an element of light heartedness returned to jewelry. With discovery of diamonds in South Africa in 1867, the supply of diamonds greatly increased. Late Victorian jewelers took advantage of this abundance by bedecking their creations with a sparkling array of rose cut and Old European cut diamonds. Diamond studded creatures, glittering star brooches, and flowers graced by diamond dew drops are characteristic of the period.
*Lesbian Relationships in the Victorian Era*
Women of the Victorian era often developed what polite society referred to as "romantic friendships". Actually, polite society never really referred to it at all. Beyond unseemly was any talk of a sexual nature. The skirting of any conversation on romantic friendships was an indication of the morels of the day. A population of many more women than men, plus a law passed in 1885 that made it illegal for two men to have sex but never touched on the subject of two women. With these facts of life, women tended to engage themselves in relationships with other women, often progressing to a live-in situation. Of course, society whispered behind handkerchiefs and fans. Yet vocally, the pair was referred to as "companions".
Many women through the age became independent for the first time as an accepted state of affairs. They worked as school teachers and clerk, nurses and nannies. Collecting a pay envelope and living apart from any man. Women like George Eliot strolled around in men's trousers, tailored for her figure. Smoking cigarettes and discussing the craft of writing at corner cafes. Living a masculine existence with female accoutrements. A tough road even by today's standards.
The acceptance and fascination of the romantic friendships is visible in artists such as Leighton and others. The images express an innocence with something more behind the eyes. A touch or kiss is shown with definite signs of the erotic undertones of man's oft admitted fantasy of two women together. Victorian men had it all around them. The closeness and bonding of two good female friends. And yet he could not involve himself even if the three did get along in conversation and interests.
The resulting suffragette movement for women's rights and independence has moved the romantic friendships of Queen Victoria's time into the files of heroine history. These women sought what they were after and used the ignorance of societal niceties to express their love.
With the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, the Victorian era sadly came to an end. |
