Victorian inspired steampunk insect jewelry has risen in popularity, but few know the history of these designs are echos of elegant designs made more than a century ago. Throughout the Victorian era, images of the natural world were popular in jewelry, fashion, and furniture design.


This 1894 Late Victorian evening gown is from the archive of the Victoria and Albert museum - you can get lost for hours! Made in a gorgeous black accented with glass beads and sequins, trimmed with tulle, embroidered net in a design of butterflies applied to the skirt and bodice, lined with silk, the bodice strengthened on the inside with whalebone. The large sleeves are also typical of this period, a revival of similar 1830s balloon style sleeve, called l'imbecile (silly) or a la folle (foolish). These exaggerated sleeve styles often required small down shoulder pillows, called sleeve pumpers. From the 1840s until the brief revival in the 1890s, sleeves were more tailored.

These jewelry designs reflect the late nineteenth-century interest in the natural world, including moths, butterflies, dragonflies, and others. The diamond, sapphire and pearl dragonfly brooch is art nouveau - circa 1890-1905.
Our Queen Bee design captures this Victorian trend and the celebration of all things insect.
You can see more of my Compass Rose Design Jewelry Steampunk and Victorian Insect Jewelry in our shop.