|
|
Georgian Jewelry (1714 - 1837)
Georgian jewelry denotes that produced in England around the time of the reigns of King George I to King George IV, 1714 to 1837. This was a time of opulence in the English court. Early Georgian style was heavily influenced by French Rococo. There are very few pieces of Georgian jewelry still intact today. Raw materials such as gold and precious gemstones were not easily obtained, and precious jewelry was enjoyed only by a very limited few such as royalty, aristocracy and the very wealthy. Gemstones and gold were often re-used and re-fashioned into later designs due to difficulty in obtaining raw materials.
Georgian jewelry is characterized by the use of what are known today as “semi-precious” stones in closed-back settings. These stones, such as garnets, topaz, aquamarines, amethysts etc, cut into early facetted gems, were very desirable and hard to obtain at that time. Gold work was often very simple and acted only as a way to “hold” the colorful gems. Stone cuts were also simpler with fewer facets making the stones appear more transparent and glass-like rather than brilliant. It was at this time that early fully facetted diamonds came into usage.
Main themes and inspiration were colorful gems in simple closed-back settings with floral or scroll motifs.
click thumbnail photos below to view larger images
Click here for list of all educational articles.
|
|
|
|
