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The Victorians loved to travel and trips were a big event. Taken for business, fun or educational enjoyment, they were a treat for all. Trips might last for weeks to months at a time, so large trunks carried the clothing and accessories needed.

They traveled by sea and by rail, and with the advent of railroads in England in about 1830, it became so much faster and more efficient. Trips were less expensive and time consuming, making them also available to a wider economic group.

With so much to see and so many places to visit, it was fun to bring home souvenirs of these trips. Souvenir jewelry might have been agate jewelry from Scotland, bog oak from Ireland, mosaics and cameos from Italy or Czech garnet jewelry.

Scenic jewelry was another popular souvenir as either a treasured memory for the traveler or a treat for those left at home.

We have some lovely examples for sale in the shop right now, and you can enjoy some for your own collection HERE.

Hair jewelry, once considered the height of sentimental fashion, became less popular for many decades in the 20th Century. Once the 20th century neared its end, and thanks in part to the Steampunk movement, it again became both popular and desirable. In Jeanenne Bells book, "Collectors Encyclopedia of Hairwork Jewelry", she states that in the 1800s, "watch chains were the most popular forms of hair jewelry". Vintage catalogues offered the mounts and findings to make these watch chains as a home craft, but they were also made professionally as well, using the customers hair if desired, and hand made to order. Hair might be woven around a core of hair or cloth for extra stiffness, and the designs of weaving varied widely. It could also be worked in several others ways. Combining more than one style at a time seem a popular look as well lending depth and interest to a design.

As you can see in vintage photos, and just like the all-metal watch chains, women wore these chains as necklaces and bracelets too, as well as for watches. The fobs might include lockets, charms, symbols of occupation or sports interests, and tools. The fobs were decorative, as were the chains themselves.

To see the watch chains we have for sale, check our wonderful selection at Morning Glory Jewelry.


And our feature information about them, along with vintage photographs and catalogue pages showing how they were worn, is HERE.

http://www.morninggloryjewelry.com/