The Georgian Period
The Georgian Period in jewellery is one of my personal favourites. The Period covers the Reigns of King George I, II, III, IV and the short Reign of King William IV. The Georgian Period covered 1714 - 1837.
This Period encompassed enormous changes the World over. These are just a few of the major historical events during this time.
- The German Hanoverian Kings succeed to the English throne after Queen Anne died heirless.
- The Scottish Jacobite Rebellion and subsequent defeat at the Battle of Culloden occurred in 1746.
- British Colonial rule of India began in 1757 and would last for almost 200 years.
- The First Industrial Revolution and the Invention of the Steam engine began sweeping changes to Industry across Britain
- In 1763 the signing of the Treaty of Paris effectively ended the Seven Years War and established Britain asthe foremost global Empire.
- Captain Cook claimed Australia on behalf of Great Britain in 1770.
- The Revolutionary War raged in America from 1775-1783 until America's Independence was acknowledged with another Treaty of Paris in 1783.
- The French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille in 1789.
- The Act of the Union united England, Scotland and Ireland as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801.
- The slave trade was 'officially' abolished in 1807 although trafficking unfortunately continued for a few more years.
- and so much more
As you can image, these events all impacted upon the Gem and Jewellery Industry of the time. Particularly the developments of the Industrial Revolution, expanded Global trading and the gradual emergency of a wealthy middle-class.
The aesthetics, access and craftsmanship of jewellery in the Georgian Era evolved accordingly during this 123 year Period. I will go more into the details of this in another post to come soon.
😘 LL
Digital image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.Duchess of Devonshire Portrait Diamond