Heartfelt Tokens: Victorian Love Letters and Keepsakes

Flirting was complicated in the 19th century and Victorian love letters played a crucial role in the rituals of courtship for young lovers. Away from strict societal confines and a chaperone’s prying eyes, elaborate love letters and ornate keepsakes allowed for greater expression and formed part of the intricate theatre of Victorian courtship.

Not just a means of communication but an emotive art form that danced a line between passionate expression and modesty of the age, Victorian love letters were formal and poetic, as writers took great care to convey affection while adhering to social expectations to create beautiful examples of language and emotion intertwining in expressions of love.

Reflecting the era’s values of duty, honor, and fidelity, the love letters and keepsakes allowed the romantically inclined to express passion and turmoil, often portraying the beloved as a near-perfect figure. The letters were used to navigate complex social rituals of courtship, allowing couples to express their feelings while maintaining the decorum required by society. And they did so with considerable artistry and great creativity.

Locks of Hair and Miniature Portraits

Quite literally giving a piece of yourself to someone as an act of devotion, sentimental keepsakes formed an important part of Victorian culture. There was no Hallmark to provide pre-written sentiment or Amazon for a promptly delivered gift, so a sense of creativity when it came to gift giving allowed Victorians to navigate the emotional landscape of love and friendship in a society ruled by restraint and propriety.

Locks of hair were particularly cherished. Considered among the most intimate and cherished keepsakes of the Victorian period, hair was a deeply personal possession and a potent symbol of love. Whether it was tied with a ribbon, encased in a locket, or woven into jewelry, exchanging locks of hair was common among lovers, friends, and family members – particularly during times of separation. Hair was also gifted in times of mourning and became popular during Queen Victoria’s reign, especially after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, when she set trends in memorial practices.

Miniature portraits were similarly held close to the heart on lockets and brooches. These small, hand-painted likenesses often depicted a romantic partner and served as a reminder of their presence. An art form requiring great skill, the portraits were typically painted on ivory or porcelain and sometimes even adorned with gold or enamel frames, making them a luxurious sentimental gift.

Love Tokens and Jewelry

Standing as a testament to the creativity and sentimentality of the era, Victorian love tokens rose in popularity in the late 1800s, as engraved coins, embroidered handkerchiefs, and jewelry helped to express Victorian emotions. Today, these tokens remain poignant reminders of the enduring human desire for connection.

Steeped in the romantic ideals of the time, love tokens provided courters with a discreet way to express feelings that couldn’t be openly shared in society. From simple handmade items to more elaborate and expensive gifts, they were a tangible way to convey feelings of love.

Engraved coins were one of the most popular forms of Victorian love tokens thanks to their availability. Often engraved with the name of a loved one or a short message, these keepsakes were given as a symbol of love or pierced and worn as a necklace. For a grander gift, lockets containing a miniature portrait, a lock of hair, or small note were gifted, while brooches and bracelets with heart, flower, or bird motifs were repeated in the traditional Irish Claddagh ring and were popular symbols in Victorian jewelry.

Courtship and Etiquette

Written correspondence and keepsakes were integral to Victorian courtship – and the introduction of the Penny Post in Britain and Ireland in 1765 expanded the romantic reach of men and women overnight. Reflecting the era’s emphasis on sentimentality and propriety, postal romance allowed couples to express their emotions, with the help of the postman. Using romantic and emotive language that stayed within accepted codes of behaviour, these letters helped Victorian couples navigate the complexities of romantic relationships and get to know each in the process. A luxury not always possible in the company of a chaperone.

When they appear at auction, these letters provide a window into the emotional lives of Victorians and their comparatively reserved expressions of love. Victorian society valued social respectability, especially for women, so by adhering to the conventions of propriety, couples could pursue romantic relationships without risking scandal.

Written correspondence was often a family affair and could involve both families, particularly the parents. This added another layer of formality to the slow composed courtship that mirrored the slow and deliberate pace of Victorian customs in polite society.

Preservation and Collectability

It’s thanks to collections and exhibitions that love letters from the Victorian era have survived today. The preservation of Victorian love letters and keepsakes means modern audiences can connect with the intimate lives of romantic Victorians. Historical collections at The British Library, the Bodleian Library at Oxford, and the New York Public Library offer a window to the past, while The British Library also holds deeply personal letters between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, which are also available to view online.

Across London, the V&A has an impressive collection of Victorian jewelry, including engraved rings, lockets containing hair, and miniature portraits. And in the United States, the American Antiquarian Society holds a collection of Victorian-era letters and keepsakes that reflect the transatlantic influence of British culture and provide insight into how Victorian ideals of love and courtship were interpreted in America.

Modern Interpretations

The enduring art of the love letter stands as a popular legacy of Victorian society. And it continues to fascinate with love letters from everyone from Mick Jagger to JFK, Joe DiMaggio, Napoleon, and Frida Kahlo compelling bidders at auction.

Victorian love letters and keepsakes have also provided rich inspiration for contemporary artists, writers, and filmmakers, including assemblage artists Joseph Cornell who is known for his glass-fronted boxes filled with Victorian bric-a-brac, old photographs, and found elements. Similarly, Kara Walker’s cut-paper silhouettes have their roots in the sentimental Victorian shadow portraits, while Tracey Emin’s My Bed could even be seen as a modern-day reinterpretation of the values of Victorian keepsakes.

Bridging the gap between past and present, modern artists have embraced the flamboyance, literary leanings, and sheer drama of Victorian love letters; making them ideal fodder for literature and drama. Laden with emotion and repressed desire, they can read like captivating stories that still enchant today. Whether through art, literature, music, film, or design, the influence of Victorian sentimentality and romantic expression proves that the art of 19th century love still resonates in contemporary imagination.

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