1880s Victorian Whitby Jet Gothic Carved Brooch
This elegant, richly textured brooch was made in the north of England around the 1880s but could conceivably be a little earlier or later such is the timeless appeal of jet. Carved from genuine Whitby jet, it is engraved with a twisting rope and S-shaped forms that curve around two spheres. There are cut-out details which allow the fabric of the wearer’s clothes to be glimpsed. The back features a long clasp which is secured with a C-clasp. This brooch, which is much larger than average for Victorian jewellery, is in excellent antique condition - particularly for a piece closing in on 150 years of age. There are no dents or surface scratches visible to the naked eye; only the smallest bit of wear to the metal at the rear in keeping with age.
Few materials are more closely associated with Victorian fashion than Whitby jet. This deep black gemstone, formed from fossilised wood over 180 million years ago, was found along the Yorkshire coast and crafted into jewellery by local artisans for centuries. Its rise to fame, however, came through one of the most defining moments of the Victorian era.
Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria entered a prolonged period of mourning and adopted Whitby jet as her jewellery of choice. Its rich black colour reflected the solemnity expected during bereavement, while its subtle lustre offered an elegance that diamonds and coloured gemstones could not. As images of the Queen circulated throughout Britain, demand for jet jewellery soared.
By the late nineteenth century, Whitby jet had moved beyond mourning dress and into mainstream fashion. Its dramatic appearance complemented the era's luxurious silks, velvets and lace, making it a favourite for evening wear as well as memorial jewellery. Its Gothic appeal was further cemented in 1897 when Bram Stoker chose Whitby as a key setting for his novel Dracula. Today, antique Whitby jet remains highly collectible, valued for its craftsmanship, rarity and rich historical associations.
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH - 2.5 in. (6 cm)
WIDTH - 1.6 in. (4 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7365053.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
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Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
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We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
Does Circa have an after-care service?
We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
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Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
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Underground:
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What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.