As we come to the end of our mysterious and magical pursuit through the Victorian period, we’re looking at an era that collectors are most likely to have pieces from. 

Today we’re exploring the Aesthetic Era, which was led by radical artists and designers who wanted to break away from the strict norms and traditional morals of the time. Matthew takes us through the changes happening in the world at the time, from technology to discoveries and lifestyle, that demanded for new ways of design and was embraced by craftspeople. He explains the iconic motifs of this era and his trade tips for spotting the beautiful pieces from this time. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Cultural changes and rebellions that led to the Aesthetic Period 
• Technology, discoveries and ways of life that impacted how jewellery was made
• Iconic motifs of the Aesthetic era 
• The crafting ideas of art for art’s sake 
• Trade tips and tricks, including what hallmarking can tell us 

MORE INFORMATION

Courtville Victorian Collection 

https://www.courtville.ie/victorian/

Gypsy rings 

https://www.courtville.ie/?match=all&subcats=Y&pcode_from_q=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&search_performed=Y&search_id=&q=gypsy+ring&dispatch=products.search

Social Media

• IG - @CourtvilleAntiques
• FB - @Courtvilleantiques
• Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon    
• YouTube - @courtvilleantique
• Pinterest - @courtville

QUOTES

I'm super excited about this one because it is the time period where if you have an interest in antique jewellery or you know, you're going to different sales or antique fairs or shops, this is where you will actually have a chance of encountering pieces from this era. - Matthew Weldon 

The aesthetic period was almost a backlash against these kinds of these stuffy or stiff fashions and values, which is really defined by the previous part of the Victorian era. - Matthew Weldon 

This is what the Aesthetic period was about, it was art for art's sake. Things have to be handmade. It was an environment where the crafts-person could make it from scratch to the finished product. - Matthew Weldon 

KEYWORDS

#jewellery #queenvictoria #victorian #diamonds #victorianperiod #antiquejewellery #pearls