Jewelry revivals: archaeological style

Revival is always happening in the jewelry world, but archaeological revival had its heyday in the second half of the 19th century, when all kinds of treasure was being excavated all over Europe. That period was a high point for craftsmanship and gold work, but just as interesting is the way this elaborate style fit with the fashions of the time.

Victorian women piled it on. With all those layers of clothing, they had more places to attach and drape things than we do today – including their elaborately pinned and piled hair.