Looking at  Antique Victorian Jewellery we often see something from quite a different perspective from that of its original owner. We see a pretty little piece , quaint, decorative , interesting or valuable. A hundred and fifty years ago the original owner may have seen these things the jewellery may have had a deeper meaning. Messages were contained in jewellery, sometimes these messages were hidden and other times they were messages that the wearer wanted to convey to the world.   How did the Victorians put meaning in their Jewellery ? They used symbols which were commonly understood at the time but which are largely forgotten now. It is interesting to take a look at pieces and to uncover their deeper meanings today.

Amongst other things the Victorians gave meaning to flowers, gemstones, animals and objects such as an anchor.  To read a piece of jewellery and uncover its meaning you need to look at all of the elements used as they were often used in combinations

In previous posts I have discussed two of the symbols which are commonly found and understood today  : Faith, Hope and Charity and Mizpah.  Here are a few more:

Snakes: Mean “Eternity”. Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria an engagement ring in the form of a snake. As always in the Victorian era, anything that Queen Victoria did became high fashion.

Anchor and Chain: Faith in salvation

Butterfly : Resurrection. This is taken from the three parts of a butterflies life with the butterfly being the resurrection from the chrysalis.

Clasped hands: Friendship

Heart: as today means love or devotion. Flaming heart means passion, Crowned Heart means Love Triumphant

Dog: Fidelity, Fly: Humility, Wishbone: Wish or hope

Arrows or Cupid = Love 

 

Meanings of flowers:

Bluebells: Constancy

Mistletoe: A kiss

Lilac: the start of love

Ivy: Evergreen love or marriage

Forget-me-nots: Remembrance

Fern: fascination

Daisy:Innocence

Wiki has a comprehensive list of  the meanings of flowers.

 
Gemstones were also given specific meanings. For example:

Ruby : Passion

Amethyst: Devotion

Emerald: Hope

Diamond: Constancy

Ruby: Passion

Pearls:Tears

Coral: Protection against evil

 

As I mentioned earlier, more than one of these symbols can be combines into a piece of jewellery. Here are a couple of examples:

A heart shaped pendant set with Amethysts might mean love and devotion.  An antique brooch with forget me nots set with pearls would be a mourning brooch.

So, next timeyou take a look at a piece of Victorian antique  jewellery why not try and find out what the original owner was trying to say? Do you know any more Victorian meanings for flowers and gemstones? Please do leave me a message here and I can update the post.