Decorative objects

During the nineteenth century, photographs slowly came to replace painted miniatures. Whereas painted miniatures were once a popular feature in jewellery, following the invention of photography in 1839, photographs became the preferred medium to use in jewellery designs. Prince Albert (1819-61) and Queen Victoria (1819-1901) commissioned and gifted a range of decorative objects featuring photographs, including lockets and bracelets. The objects mark and celebrate a variety of occasions, including weddings, birthdays and Christmas. Overwhelmingly, the objects include photographic depictions of the royal couple’s children, revealing their strong affection for their offspring.