Adin Antique Jewellery Academy
Styles and periods
Find the key periods at a glance, then go deeper into each style.
Timeline
This page offers a clear overview of major styles and periods in Western jewellery history, centred mainly on European and North American traditions. Open any style to explore it in more detail. Dates and boundaries are indicative, since styles overlap and local timelines do not begin or end neatly. This overview will continue to expand over time.
Educational use and sharing are welcome. If you quote or refer to this page, please credit Adin as the source: Adin – www.antiquejewel.com.
Educational use and sharing are welcome. If you quote or refer to this page, please credit Adin as the source: Adin – www.antiquejewel.com.
Greco-Roman antiquity
-800 to 500
Date range: circa 800 BC to 500 AD
Geographic focus (primary centres): Greece, Italy
High purity gold, fine granulation and filigree, laurel wreath motifs and hardstone intaglios, with balanced borders and clear proportion.
Date range: circa 500 BCE to 300 CE
Geographic focus (primary centres): Greece, Italy
Classical jewellery of balanced proportion, laurel and acanthus ornament, smooth high purity gold, with intaglio rings and disciplined geometric borders.
Late antique and early medieval
250 to 1453
Late Antique and early medieval jewellery
Date range: 250 to 700
Geographic focus (primary centres): Western Europe
In Western Europe, compartmented patterns of garnet and glass cloisonné are framed by wire borders in gold or gilt, with crosses and monograms.
Late Antique and early medieval jewellery
Byzantine jewellery
Date range: circa 330 to 1453
Geographic focus (primary centres): Constantinople, Eastern Mediterranean
Filigree, wirework and granulation frame gemstones, glass and enamel, giving a frontal look, so the imagery remains easy to read at a glance.
Byzantine jewellery
Medieval period
500 to 1500
Date range: circa 1400 to 1600
Geographic focus (primary centres): Italy, France, Germany
Balanced gold jewels with coloured enamel, foil backed table cut gems and pendant pearls, often set within architectural frames.
Renaissance
1400 to 1600
Seventeenth Century
1600 to 1700
Eighteenth Century
1700 to 1800
Baroque jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1730.
Girandole earrings and chatelaines, all movement and lightness, with ribbon bows, floral garlands, and silver set diamonds.
Baroque jewellery
Date range: circa 1702 to 1714
Geographic focus (primary centre): United Kingdom
Smooth yellow gold outlines, small diamonds and coloured stones in collet mounts, with soft scroll drops and balanced proportions.
Date range: circa 1714 to 1830.
Also appears in Nineteenth century.
Also appears in Nineteenth century.
Geographic focus (primary centre): United Kingdom
Hand made Georgian jewels, often silver over gold, with closed back foiled stones in table, rose or old mine cuts.
Date range: circa 1730 to 1770
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, Germany, Austria
Asymmetrical openwork gold, rocaille shells and S scrolls, with diamonds set in silver to emphasise their whiteness.
Date range: circa 1760 to 1830.
Also appears in Nineteenth century.
Also appears in Nineteenth century.
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United Kingdom, Italy
Neoclassical jewellery revives classical antiquity through clear profiles, balanced compositions, cameos and intaglios, expressing late eighteenth century restraint.
Date range: circa 1795 to 1804
Geographic focus (primary centre): France
Light jewels in polished gold, geometric frames and fine link chains, balanced symmetry, clear outlines, and reduced ornament for a measured look.
Nineteenth Century
1800 to 1900
Directoire jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until the Consulate to circa 1804.
Light jewels in polished gold, geometric frames and fine link chains, balanced symmetry, clear outlines, and reduced ornament for a measured look.
Directoire jewellery
Egyptian Revival jewellery (Napoleonic phase)
Started in the previous period, continues here until the early 1820s.
Light neoclassical goldwork, discreet lotus, papyrus or sphinx emblems, engraved or lightly enamelled within symmetrical pendants and medallions.
Egyptian Revival jewellery (Napoleonic phase)
Neoclassical jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1830.
Neoclassical jewellery revives classical antiquity through clear profiles, balanced compositions, cameos and intaglios, expressing late eighteenth century restraint.
Neoclassical jewellery
Georgian jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1830.
Hand made Georgian jewels, often silver over gold, with closed back foiled stones in table, rose or old mine cuts.
Georgian jewellery
Empire jewellery
Date range: circa 1800 to 1815
Geographic focus (primary centre): France, Paris
Roman and Neo Egyptian motifs, palmettes and sphinxes, in polished high carat gold with disciplined geometry and selective enamel.
Empire jewellery
British Regency jewellery
Date range: circa 1810 to 1830
Geographic focus (primary centre): United Kingdom
Warm stones in closed back settings, refined chasing and repoussé, with palmettes, lyres, bows and scrolling foliage.
British Regency jewellery
Restoration France jewellery
Date range: circa 1814 to 1830
Geographic focus (primary centre): France, Paris
Smooth chased gold with lilies, crowns and laurel wreaths, set within balanced neoclassical frames in a controlled, dignified style.
Restoration France jewellery
Biedermeier jewellery
Date range: circa 1815 to 1848
Geographic focus (primary centre): Central Europe
This is the default text value
Biedermeier jewellery
Romanticism jewellery
Date range: circa 1820 to 1850
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United Kingdom
Entwined knots, cupids and birds, with miniature portraits and inscriptions to carry affection and remembrance.
Romanticism jewellery
Gothic Revival jewellery
Date range: circa 1830 to early twentieth century
Geographic focus (primary centre): United Kingdom
Victorian reinterpretations of medieval forms, pointed arches and openwork tracery, with enamel or coloured glass accents set into crisp architectural frames.
Gothic Revival jewellery
Louis Philippe jewellery
Date range: circa 1830 to 1848
Geographic focus (primary centre): France, Paris
Smooth, high carat gold with gentle curves, laurel garlands and closely matched stones, often in restrained borders.
Louis Philippe jewellery
Archaeological Revival jewellery
Date range: circa 1830 to 1900
Geographic focus (primary centres): Italy, France, United Kingdom
Matte high carat gold with crisp granulation and filigree, paired with cameos, intaglios or micromosaic panels of ruins and myth.
Archaeological Revival jewellery
Historic Revival jewellery
Date range: circa 1830 to 1900
Geographic focus (primary centres): International, France, United Kingdom
Nineteenth century jewels reworking Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque ornament, with enamelled panels, chased gold and gemstone accents.
Historic Revival jewellery
Eclecticism jewellery
Date range: circa 1835 to 1900
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, Germany, Italy
Eclecticism jewellery combines Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neoclassical elements in balanced gold designs that reflect nineteenth century historicist skill.
Eclecticism jewellery
Etruscan Revival jewellery
Date range: circa 19th century (roots: 1836, peak: 1860s)
Geographic focus (primary centres): Rome, London, Paris
Warm high carat yellow gold, crisp filigree and dense granulation create softly shimmering fields, often framed as plaques and beaded borders.
Etruscan Revival jewellery
Victorian jewellery
circa 1837 to 1860 (Romantic phase)
circa 1860 to 1880 (Grand phase)
circa 1880 to 1901 (Late or Aesthetic phase)
circa 1860 to 1880 (Grand phase)
circa 1880 to 1901 (Late or Aesthetic phase)
Note: Victorian refers to Queen Victoria’s reign, and is more an umbrella period covering many sub-styles rather than one unified style.
Britain focused period label, not a single style. Gathers Victorian currents, overlapping with Biedermeier and Second Empire
Victorian jewellery
Orientalism and Japonisme in jewellery
Date range: circa 1850 to 1930
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United Kingdom, United States
Asymmetrical branches with birds or insects, deep enamel fields, and rhythmic arabesque or wave bands bring non European pattern into jewellery.
Orientalism and Japonisme in jewellery
Second Empire jewellery
Date range: circa 1852 to 1870
Geographic focus (primary centre): France
Balanced, facade like compositions in 18 carat gold, with panels, pilaster like ribs, scrolls and cameo medallions.
Second Empire jewellery
Egyptian Revival jewellery (Suez Canal phase)
Date range: circa late 1860s to 1880s
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United Kingdom
Broader gold settings with applied wirework and contrasting enamel, where lotus, scarab and deity motifs sit as focal accents, not structure.
Egyptian Revival jewellery (Suez Canal phase)
Indian Revival in Western jewellery
Date range: circa 1860 to 1935
Geographic focus (primary centres): United Kingdom, France
Mughal inspired foliage, paisley and bud motifs, diamonds with carved stones, in gold and later platinum mounts, sometimes reusing princely gems.
Indian Revival in Western jewellery
Austro Hungarian Historicist jewellery
Date range: circa 1867 to 1918
Geographic focus (primary centres): Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic
Enamelled plaques, medallions and locket forms, finished with chased detail, openwork edges and seed pearls or faceted gems.
Austro Hungarian Historicist jewellery
Fin de siècle and Belle Époque
1880 to 1915
Archaeological Revival jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1900
Matte high carat gold with crisp granulation and filigree, paired with cameos, intaglios or micromosaic panels of ruins and myth.
Archaeological Revival jewellery
Eclecticism jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1900
Eclecticism jewellery combines Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neoclassical elements in balanced gold designs that reflect nineteenth century historicist skill.
Eclecticism jewellery
Victorian jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1901
Britain focused period label, not a single style. Gathers Victorian currents, overlapping with Biedermeier and Second Empire
Victorian jewellery
Historic Revival jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until the early twentieth century
Nineteenth century jewels reworking Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque ornament, with enamelled panels, chased gold and gemstone accents.
Historic Revival jewellery
Arts and Crafts jewellery
Date range: circa 1880 to 1910
Geographic focus (primary centres): United Kingdom, United States
Hammered silver or soft gold with cabochon opal or moonstone, set in simple bezels and enlivened by enamel plaques.
Arts and Crafts jewellery
Belle Époque jewellery
Date range: late 1890s to 1914
Geographic focus (primary centres): United Kingdom, United States
Belle Époque jewellery uses airy platinum lacework, garlands and laurel swags, with pavé diamonds, millegrain and detachable drops.
Belle Époque jewellery
Art Nouveau jewellery
Date range: circa 1890 to 1914
Geographic focus (primary centres): International, France, Belgium
Art Nouveau jewellery blends whiplash line, enamel and cabochon stones into poetic nature forms, valuing mood and harmony over showy brilliance.
Art Nouveau jewellery
Garland Style jewellery
Date range: circa 1895 to 1914
Geographic focus (primary centre): France
Platinum openwork, like lace, with graduated diamonds and millegrain edges, arranged as bows, wreaths and swags in airy symmetry.v
Garland Style jewellery
Vienna Secession jewellery
Date range: circa 1897 to 1914
Geographic focus (primary centres): Austria, Vienna
Look for framed pendants and brooches, stylised leaves, and controlled enamel panels, stones chosen for harmony rather than brilliance.
Vienna Secession jewellery
Skonvirke jewellery
Date range: circa 1900 to 1915
Geographic focus (primary centres): Denmark, Copenhagen
Handwrought silver with softly modelled surfaces, stylised leaves and buds, and amber cabochons in simple bezel settings, calm and modest.
Skonvirke jewellery
Modernist jewellery
Date range: circa 1900 to the late 1970s
Geographic focus (primary centres): International, Germany, United States
Clean geometry or controlled organic curves in silver, with folded or forged construction, matte or polished finish, stones used as accents.
Modernist jewellery
Edwardian jewellery
Date range: circa 1901 to 1915
Geographic focus (primary centres): United Kingdom, France
Platinum lacework set with graduated diamonds and pearls, finished with millegrain for a light, luminous effect.
Edwardian jewellery
Wiener Werkstätte jewellery
Date range: circa 1903 to 1932
Geographic focus (primary centre): Austria, Vienna
Viennese modern clarity in silver, textured matt surfaces, enamel plaques and repeated units in balanced frameworks.
Wiener Werkstätte jewellery
Interwar period
1918 to 1939
Austro Hungarian Historicist jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1918
Enamelled plaques, medallions and locket forms, finished with chased detail, openwork edges and seed pearls or faceted gems.
Austro Hungarian Historicist jewellery
Orientalism and Japonisme in jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1930
Asymmetrical branches with birds or insects, deep enamel fields, and rhythmic arabesque or wave bands bring non European pattern into jewellery.
Orientalism and Japonisme in jewellery
Wiener Werkstätte jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1932
Viennese modern clarity in silver, textured matt surfaces, enamel plaques and repeated units in balanced frameworks.
Wiener Werkstätte jewellery
Indian Revival in Western jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1935
Mughal inspired foliage, paisley and bud motifs, diamonds with carved stones, in gold and later platinum mounts, sometimes reusing princely gems.
Indian Revival in Western jewellery
Art Deco jewellery
Date range: circa 1915 to 1940
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United States
Platinum settings build crisp grids and stepped outlines, diamonds in pavé and onyx in sharp lines, in a Cubist, abstracted vocabulary.
Art Deco jewellery
Interbellum jewellery
Date range: circa 1918 to 1939
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, Germany
Between Art Deco and early Retro, interwar jewels favour restrained geometry, discreet diamond work and measured proportions over dramatic contrast.
Interbellum jewellery
Bauhaus jewellery
Date range: circa 1919 to 1933
Geographic focus (primary centre): Germany
Reduced geometry in circles, squares and bars, with visible joints and hinges, minimal finishing, and enamel used as a single, controlled accent.
Bauhaus jewellery
Egyptian Revival jewellery (Tutankhamun phase)
Date range: circa 1922 to early 1930s
Geographic focus (primary centre): Western Europe and United States
Art Deco symmetry with Egyptian accents, stepped outlines, scarabs and falcons, calibré panels of onyx, turquoise, coral or lapis for sharp contrast.
Egyptian Revival jewellery (Tutankhamun phase)
Streamline Moderne jewellery
Date range: circa 1930 to 1945
Geographic focus (primary centre): United States
Elongated, aerodynamic curves and continuous metal bands, smooth or ribbed surfaces, with enamel or coloured glass used as restrained accent panels.
Streamline Moderne jewellery
Retro jewellery
Date range: circa 1935 to 1950
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United States
Bold, sculptural volume in warm yellow, pink or red gold, polished planes, concealed hinges, and channel set rows of square or calibré cut stones.
Retro jewellery
Post-war and mid-century
1945 to 1975
Streamline Moderne jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1945
Elongated, aerodynamic curves and continuous metal bands, smooth or ribbed surfaces, with enamel or coloured glass used as restrained accent panels.
Streamline Moderne jewellery
Retro jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1950
Bold, sculptural volume in warm yellow, pink or red gold, polished planes, concealed hinges, and channel set rows of square or calibré cut stones.
Retro jewellery
American Studio Modernism jewellery
Date range: circa 1940 to 1970
Geographic focus (primary centre): United States
Handwrought studio jewels with hammered or patinated texture, abstract or biomorphic asymmetry, and visible solder joins, rivets and open connections.
American Studio Modernism jewellery
Scandinavian Modern jewellery
Date range: circa late 1940s to 1970
Geographic focus (primary centres): Denmark, Sweden, Norway
Clean, unembellished silhouettes in matte silver, where joins and settings stay discreet, and enamel or stones appear only as small accents.
Scandinavian Modern jewellery
Fifties jewellery
Date range: circa 1950 to 1959
Geographic focus (primary centres): France, United States
Postwar jewels in sculptural yellow and multicoloured gold, with folded fluting, tactile texture, and diamond clusters that soften geometry.
Fifties jewellery
Sixties jewellery
Date range: circa 1960 to 1969
Geographic focus (primary centres): Western Europe and North America
Abstract, asymmetric jewels with hammered or molten surfaces, vivid enamel and synthetic colour accents, made to read as personal statements.
Sixties jewellery
Brutalist jewellery
Date range: circa 1960 to late 1970s
Geographic focus (primary centres): International, Finland, United Kingdom
Metal treated as sculpture, with fractured, pitted surfaces, fused clusters and projecting ridges that cast deep, shadowed recesses.
Brutalist jewellery
Late Twentieth Century
1975 to 1990
American Studio Modernism jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1970
Handwrought studio jewels with hammered or patinated texture, abstract or biomorphic asymmetry, and visible solder joins, rivets and open connections.
American Studio Modernism jewellery
Scandinavian Modern jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until circa 1970
Clean, unembellished silhouettes in matte silver, where joins and settings stay discreet, and enamel or stones appear only as small accents.
Scandinavian Modern jewellery
Brutalist jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until the late 1970s.
Metal treated as sculpture, with fractured, pitted surfaces, fused clusters and projecting ridges that cast deep, shadowed recesses.
Brutalist jewellery
Modernist jewellery
Started in the previous period, continues here until the late 1970s.
Clean geometry or controlled organic curves in silver, with folded or forged construction, matte or polished finish, stones used as accents.
Modernist jewellery
Seventies and Eighties jewellery
Date range: 1970 to 1989
Geographic focus (primary centres): Western Europe and North America
Two tone and tri colour gold, domed forms and textured planes, built by electroforming, with enamel or cabochon colour blocks for graphic impact.
Seventies and Eighties jewellery
Contemporary period
1990 to ...
Iced out jewellery
Date range: late twentieth century onwards
Geographic focus (primary centres): Western Europe and North America
Dense pavé, usually diamonds, turns watches and chains into continuous sparkle, with little visible metal, made to catch flash and phone camera light.
Iced out jewellery
Contemporary High jewellery
Date range: circa 1990 onwards
Geographic focus (primary centres): International, France
High jewellery since 1990 ranges from restraint to sculpture, using rare stones, bold colour, and titanium or ceramics with exacting pavé and claws.
Contemporary High jewellery
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