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MJ077 |
PLEDGE OF REMEMBRANCE ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Pin / Brooch ):
It is a pleasure to offer you this lovely mourning/sentimental Victorian
brooch featuring a smooth chalcedony background stone. (c. 1870-80)
Chalcedony is a family of minerals that are milky white to bluish in
color. The soft radiance and glow of this stone made it suitable for
half-mourning. This translucent milky stone makes a beautiful background
for the elaborate gold plated center plaque containing finely woven dark
brown hair. The hair is bezel set under a beveled celluloid cover.
(Celluloid was invented in 1868.) The gold plated setting features
engraved ribbon motifs at all four compass points. The back of this
Antique Hair Brooch features a C clasp pin back. This is a very feminine
and attractive brooch that truly looks well on all colors and can be
casual or dressy. It goes very nicely with MJ078, a deep rust striated
agate brooch of similar design. Condition: Excellent. A bit of wear to
the gold plating. Of no significance in a piece this old. Size: 2 1/4”
wide, 1 7/8” high, 1/4” deep. Hair oval is 7/8” wide, 1/2” high. |
$335.00 |

MJ080 |
A CHERISHED GIFT ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Brooch / Pin ):
This striated agate Victorian Mourning Brooch is jest perfect for the
fashionable brown and green colors favored by fashion this year. The
beveled rust colored agate stone is a beautiful contrast for the deep
blonde braided hair under the glass cover. (c. 1850-70) The gold plated
rim setting features applied decorative motifs at all four compass
points. The elongated pin stem and C clasp closure are original to the
piece. You can see the rivets that hold the hair compartment from the
back. A richly colored and truly lovely Antique Brooch that will look
chic on a suit at the office or great on denim. Designer Ralph Lauren
has been featuring Scottish and Agate jewelry with his clothing
recently. This brooch would make a dazzling duo with MJ077, the milky
white brooch of similar design. Condition: Excellent. A tiny ding at
4:00, noted for accuracy. Not visible to the naked eye. Size: 1 ¾” high,
2 ¼” wide. Hair compartment ½” high, 1” wide. |
$250.00 |
MJ061 |
THE HOPE OF SALVATION ( Georgian Mourning Jewelry Locket / Pendant
):
A haunting and prevalent image from the late 18th & early
19th Centuries is that of a woman with an anchor. Dressed in
idealized attire of the Grecian style, far from pathetic, she is a
female Atlas, bearing a world of grief on her slim shoulders. In this
polychrome, painted on ivory, Georgian Locket the woman is leaning on a
blue anchor and points up to heaven. (c. 1790) In the background a ship
at sea bravely sports a red flag and red and blue banners wave from the
masts. Though nautical in theme, the loss of this loved one may have
been from a number of causes. The anchor theme always represents “Hope
and Salvation”. The border surrounding the Ivory Miniature is painted
in a technique known as verre églomisé
– reverse painting on glass. In other words you take the piece of
beveled glass, turn it over and paint on the back. Once you turn it to
the front you have an image in reverse. The decorative border is painted
in gold and black enamel with a pale pink surround. The locket opens
from the bottom and contains a piece of purple silk. You could put a
photo or a lock of hair between the fabric and the back cover. The metal
appears to be rose gold plated. The large bale is mounted on a hinge.
This Antique Mourning Locket is a tangible touchstone from the past –
an age where grief and remembrance were an integral part of life.
Condition: Excellent. Over 200 years have produced some surface
scratches and a dot of flaked enamel. There is a scratch on the ground
at the bottom of the woman’s foot. A good sized locket that snaps
closed tightly. Size: 1 1/2” diameter, hangs 2” including the bale.
|
$1100.00
|

MJ088 |
SWEET & DAINTY FLORAL TRIBUTE ( Victorian Jewelry Mourning /
Sentimental Brooch ): It is a pleasure to offer you this lovely
Victorian Sentimental Brooch featuring a smooth chalcedony background
stone. (c. 1870-80) Chalcedony is a family of minerals that is milky
white to bluish in color. On top of the milky white stone, sits a
hand-carved green agate Hardstone Cameo of a single Forget-Me-Not. The
flower is framed by an extravagantly embellished 10KT gold oval setting.
A three tiered brooch of enduring appeal, the engraved outer decorative
frame tests as 10 KT gold as well. On the back you can see the round
rivets that affix the Cameo to the chalcedony. The pin stem is a
replacement and there is a tiny ring for a safety chain. Note that the
pin stem has the closure at the top if you wear the flower straight up.
In the trans-illuminated photos you can see the lovely milkish swirls in
the stone. Sweetly feminine, this dainty Antique Sentimental Brooch
exhibits a refined timeless appeal that makes it as wearable today as it
was a century and a half ago. Condition: Excellent. No flaw to the
flower carving. It was origionally carved that way. Size: 1 3/4” high, 1
5/8” wide, 3/8” deep. Floral Cameo & setting is 3/4” high, 5/8” wide. |
$275.00 |
VJ021 |
BUCKLED UP BEAUTY ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Brooch ): Terrific, low carat gold, Victorian swivel brooch. The basket weave hair
design contains two colors of light hair woven to perfection. The
twisted wire setting is accented by four sets of "buckles".
The back of the swivel contains black fabric. The C-clasp appears
original, but I think that the pin is a replacement piece. The glass is
in excellent condition - this is a real beauty for your collection or a
great buy for a new collector. Condition: Excellent. A few solder
repairs on back. The entire piece is 2" high by 1 3/4" wide.
The hair swivel portion is 1 1/2" by 1 1/4".
|
SOLD! |
MJ051 |
BLACK BRANCHES OF GRIEF ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Jet Brooch ):
Jet, as a material with memorial symbolism and one having the power to
ward off evil, dates back to the 7th Century. “Tis black
and shining, smooth and even light.” The intensity of the black color
made jet the perfect stone to reflect the deepest grief. This stunning
hand carved Whitby Jet Victorian Mourning Brooch (c. 1850) brings
together all of the most prominent symbols of grief. The finest Whitby
Jet has been carved in the “broken branch” foliage theme that was
favored by the Victorians. There are six tiny pearl “tears” resting
on the jet leaves. The central glass oval contains a lock of pale blond
hair set in an engraved low carat gold frame. With its C clasp closure
and extended pin stem, this is a brooch that delivers the essence of
fine Mourning Jewelry that was – and still is – so highly prized.
Condition: Excellent. Note: Some of the pearls are probably replacements
that match the originals. The tip of one leaf was chipped long ago.
Size: 2” wide, 1 1/2” high, 5/8” deep. Hair compartment is 3/4”
wide, 5/8” high.
|
$400.00
|
MJ026 |
TRUE BLUE ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Brooch ): Enamel dominates
this striking Mid-Victorian Hair Brooch (1840 - 1860). With such a
vibrant cobalt blue guilloche engraved design under the translucent
enamel, I would say that this brooch is more likely to be a Sentimental
piece, rather than a Mourning Jewelry Memento. A lovely chased high
embossed gold scroll mounting surrounds the enamel. Delicate chasing
decorates the framed center oval containing braided ash blonde hair
under beveled glass. These pieces were most frequently gold-filled or
low carat gold. The flat back of this Antique Hair Brooch retains its
original C clasp and elongated pin stem. Jewel tone blue is the perfect
compliment to your contemporary wardrobe. Something old, something new
and remember to add something blue! Condition: Excellent. No enamel
damage and no surface cracks or chips to the glass. Small spot of wear
on the back side. Size: Total brooch 1 3/4” wide, 1 1/2” high. Hair
compartment 1” wide, 5/8” high. |
$325.00
|
 MJ019 |
GREEK KEY CLASSIC ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Brooch ): Black enamel delineates the Greek Key border of
this elegant Victorian Mourning Brooch. Dating from 1870 to 1890, an
exceptionally thick braided knot of brown hair rests under the celluloid
covered compartment. A simple wire twist edge surrounds the hair and
then the gold-filled bold Greek Key design completes the striking
setting. This large neo-classic design is eye catching. The brooch bears
its original C clasp and extended pin closure with a ring for a safety
chain. Condition: Excellent. A few tiny dots of enamel loss. The hair
has a few white dots from age. Size: 2 1/4" wide, 1 7/8" high.
|
$350.00
|

MJ099 |
DAINTY RING OF REMEMBRANCE ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Hair Ring ):
Tokens of hair were intimate and personal. “If I should from this world
depart / You could still remember me.” Enclosed under glass is a
twisted, then coiled plait of medium brown hair. At its center sits a
single pearl – a tear of remembrance. This dainty 18KT gold Mourning
Ring has a beaded gold frame and a split shank ring band. (c. 1880-90)
The shoulders of the band show the curves of architectural revival
accented by three small golden orbs at each side. I would say that the
style of the band, with its flowing graceful curves, is a segue into the
Art Nouveau period. (1895-1910) The current ring size is a 9 1/4.
(Easily made smaller) Simple in design, this dainty and feminine Antique
Mourning Ring has been lovingly worn. It is a tangible touchstone from
the past – an age where grief and remembrance were an integral part of
life.
Condition: Very Good. Light dust under the cover and bezel setting
inside of the beaded border has a few signs of wear – neither visible to
the naked eye. A few marks on the back indicate gold testing.
Size: Ring size 9 1/4. Oval hair locket compartment 3/8” wide 1/2" high.
Ring band at back is 1/8” wide. |
SOLD! |
MJ036 |
A SPIRITUAL MEMORIAL OF DEVOTION ( Victorian Mourning Hair Cross Pin
/ Pendant): With the swell of spiritual fervor influencing the
Victorian view of life, the inevitability of death and the philosophy of
dust to dust, only one’s hair would last beyond the grave. Keeping a
memorial made of hair was the natural extension of the act of caring.
This exceptional Antique Hair Cross (c. 1860 - 1880) is made of brown
table worked hair tightly woven over a hard core. The ends are finished
with beautifully etched jeweler tested 14KT gold caps. The center band
has a 14KT gold plaque where initials could be added. The safety catch
pin back was perhaps a total addition to what I think was probably
originally a pendant only. Now it does it all. An exceptionally fine
hair cross. Condition: Excellent. No hair loss or damage. Pristine!
Size: 2 1/2” high, 1 3/4” wide, 1/4” thick. |
SOLD! |

MJ094 |
DAINTY BASKETWEAVE KEEPSAKE ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Hair Ring ):
“Few things in this weary world are so delightful as keepsakes. How
slight a memorial saves a beloved one from oblivion.” (A Victorian poem
A Lock of Hair, author unknown.) This beautiful dainty Victorian
Mourning Ring was originally a memorial pin/brooch. The back of the pin
is dated “1846”. (The “846” are easily seen in photo. The rest of the
inscription can not be read.) At some point in its history this delicate
antique lace pin was made into a ring. A jeweler worked the design on
the shoulders of the ring band - marked “750” (18KT) - to match the
original gold setting motif of leaf, scroll and ball surrounding the
hair compartment. I am certain that this was an early alteration since
the mark “750” hasn’t been used since the 1800’s. Very light brown,
perhaps ash blonde hair has been woven and placed under glass. Currently
a ring size 7 ¼, this ring could be made larger, but the proportions are
perfect as it is. This is a pretty and petite ring to wear, reminding us
of a time when “I have a piece of thee” provided loving comfort.
Condition: Excellent. The basketweave hairwork is in perfect order.
Difficult to photograph because the glass makes the hair appear
distorted.
Size: Setting 1 1/8” high, 5/8” wide, 1/4” deep. Ring band is 1/4” wide
and is a ring size 7 ¼.
|
SOLD! |
MJ052 |
POIGNANT PASSING ( Georgian Mourning Jewelry Pendant ):
A story of sadness is evident in this touching mid-Georgian (1782) sepia
on ivory pendant. The scene depicts a grief stricken woman in classical
dress leaning over an urn and plinth, her shoulders heavy with grief. A
delicate veil covers her head but cannot conceal her heartfelt sorrow. A
weeping willow tree hangs gently over the mournful scene. Portions of
the ground, tree trunk and hanging willow branches are painted with
dissolved hair. The image is crisp and clear. The delicate 9KT marquise
shaped pendant has a fine gold bead work edging. Inscribed on the back
are the words “John Smith, Died August 24, 1782, Aged 54 years”.
This pendant was originally a brooch, but has been cleverly converted
into a hinged bale pendant at some point in its long history. This is a
captivating addition to any collection of mourning jewelry. Condition:
Excellent. There are the usual fine surface scratches to the crystal
that are not visible to the naked eye. There is a small crack in the
crystal at the bottom of the V shape. Since it is over the ground, it
does not detract from the piece. The price reflects these tiny signs of
age and loving wear. Size: 1 1/2” high (minus bale), 7/8” wide.
|
SOLD! |
MJ034 |
FAMILY HISTORY KEEPSAKE ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Brooch ): "Few
things in this weary world are so delightful as keepsakes. How slight a
memorial saves a beloved one from oblivion." (Victorian poem A
Lock of Hair, author unknown) I have never seen a brooch quite like
this before. How contemporary in design and timeless in expression.
Enclosed under glass are three different braided colors of hair. (c.
1879 - 1890) Perhaps this is a family history to be passed down from one
generation to the next - a valued and sacred heirloom of those gone
before. The sleek frame of the brooch is onyx and the window surround
and tube hinge pinback are marked 14KT gold. There is a safety slide on
the pin stem. Looking at the colors of this hair braid, you can
understand why Victorians referred to hairwork as "bright,
burnished and glorious". Condition: Excellent. One tiny fleabite to
the onyx, not visible to the naked eye. Size: 2 1/2" long,
5/8" high, 1/4" thick.
|
SOLD! |
MJ020 |
GEORGIAN LEAVES OF CORAL ( Georgian Mourning Jewelry Pin ): This little pin is a museum quality
example of late Georgian (1810 - 1830) sentimental jewelry. The perfect
white basketweave hair has a rock crystal cover framed by cabochon cut
coral. This miniature oblong pin has 10 prong set exquisitely carved
coral leaves - each leaf carved by hand. The language of stones
attributed curative and protective powers to coral. These beautiful
little pins look wonderful in a group of 3. Setting of low carat gold
with the original C clasp and extended pinstem. Tiny in size, large in
history. Condition: Excellent. A very slight dent on the back. Size:
3/4" wide, 5/8" high.
|
SOLD! |
MJ004 |
GOLDEN LOCKS ( Victorian Mourning Jewelry Brooch ): This brooch is so pristine that it appears to be waiting for
its owner to arrive. It looks like it was made only yesterday! This
beautiful Victorian piece has blonde palette-worked hair curls on an
ivory backing. It is accented with gold wire and delicate turquoise. The
use of turquoise instead of pearls is very unusual and the touch of
color is so feminine. The brooch is ca 1850 - 80 and set in a mounting
of interlocking pinchbeck (gold filled) rings. The gold is very yellow,
almost a gilt look. There is a fabric backing and an extended pin with a
C clasp. Condition: Excellent. 2" wide, 1 3/4" high, 1/4"
deep.
|
SOLD! |
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