While the Victorian era officially spanned the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) historians also include the timeframe from the Napoleonic Wars until the start World War I as inclusive of the fashions and trends synonymous with the period.
In that time, Great Britain transformed from predominately rural and agricultural to an urbanized industrial leader in the world. Literature and the arts flourished. Globally, women turned an eye toward Queen Victoria’s clothing, jewelry and cosmetic usage, emulating her style.
The romance and sentimentality of the era has continued to fascinate consumers for more than a 120 years after the monarch’s death. Rosanna Nunan, who runs BrightAndDusty, a vintage and antique jewelry shop on Etsy, is one such admirer. She sat down with Antique Trader to discuss how she buys, sells, authenticates, and cares for Victorian pieces she hopes customers will treasure for generations to come.
Antique Trader: Tell us a little about your background: where are you from, where did you go to school, what was your area of study?
My background is in English literature and music. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Richmond
