Jewelry set
Unknown Artist
1850–99
Medium
stone, silver, amethyst
Classification
Jewelry Set
Culture
American or European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. George F. Goodyear, 1979
Accession Number
1979.44.1a, b
Art Historical Context
This elegant jewelry set, crafted between 1850 and 1899, exemplifies the opulent adornments of the Victorian era. Composed of silver, stones, and vibrant amethyst gems, it likely includes pieces such as a brooch, earrings, or necklace—hallmarks of fashionable parures worn by women of means. The unknown artist's work bridges American and European influences, reflecting transatlantic tastes during a time when jewelry symbolized status, sentimentality, and emerging industrial techniques in metalworking. Amethyst, with its rich purple hue prized since antiquity, surged in popularity in the 19th c...