Forgotten Lives Behind the Photographs and Artifacts
The Silent Ones
Some pieces of mourning jewelry offer enough facts to fill volumes. Others are stealthy and secretive, unwilling to share the stories of the dead or their grief-stricken survivors.
A large and beautifully carved Whitby jet mourning brooch for E.M.H., circa 1860. Purchased in Newbury, England.A tiny mourning or sentimental brooch, circa 1825, featuring the hair of two unknown individuals. What looks like finely woven hair inside some brooches is actually fabric called “checkered silk” inserted by the manufacturer, over which the hair relic was meant to be laid. Here, the contents of the viewing chamber clearly show the hair atop a scrap of this cloth.A Regency-era, gold eye-shaped memorial or sentimental brooch, circa 1800, purchased in Hungerford, England. It is more likely this is a lover’s-eye type brooch and not a mourning piece, although it is impossible to know with certainty. The brooch contains one person’s hair looped into a Celtic knot with similarly colored checkered silk behind it.This mourning brooch, circa 1870-1875, features Prince of Wales hair plumes of two individuals. It is a large brooch, measuring about 3 inches wide. The brooch is pinchbeck, but beautifully done and in immaculate condition. Sadly, there is no inscription. The date I assign is early 1870s, but this is provisional and based on what I can glean from references. It may be later; it may be earlier, but I doubt by more than five years in either direction. Purchased in Hungerford, England.This English mourning or sentimental brooch of coral and Gold, circa 1820, contains what is likely braided locks from two people. While this may be a mourning item, coral was considered a protective substance for children. It may be that this tiny brooch, usually called a lace pin, may contain the hair of two siblings or of a child’s parents, or perhaps a child’s godparents.Agate mourning brooch of pinchbeck, agate, and black enamel, circa 1850. Inside is the interwoven hair of two deceased individuals. The gothic letters that encircle the viewing compartment read “In Memory Of,” a phrase used used throughout the 19th Century on mourning jewelry.
This is a very fascinating post. I wouldn’t have thought to write about the mourning brooches of the nineteenth-century. How did you come across this topic?
I first came across mourning jewelry in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1993. I was smitten and have been collecting ever since. Later, I took up collecting photographic images of people wearing mourning jewelry and mourning, and from that, into early photography. I am a historian and professional writer/editor, so it just all came together to create this blog. I thank you deeply for reading and I hope you will come back!
What a fascinating tale, Anne! I am a historian, as well! I’m also an academic librarian, so I enjoy the details of research. You’re certainly a dedicated researcher. I will most certainly be back to visit your blog.
"Your Dying Charlotte" 
This is a very fascinating post. I wouldn’t have thought to write about the mourning brooches of the nineteenth-century. How did you come across this topic?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I first came across mourning jewelry in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1993. I was smitten and have been collecting ever since. Later, I took up collecting photographic images of people wearing mourning jewelry and mourning, and from that, into early photography. I am a historian and professional writer/editor, so it just all came together to create this blog. I thank you deeply for reading and I hope you will come back!
LikeLike
What a fascinating tale, Anne! I am a historian, as well! I’m also an academic librarian, so I enjoy the details of research. You’re certainly a dedicated researcher. I will most certainly be back to visit your blog.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh so beautiful and moving. Thanks for sharing them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The shape of the lover’s eye brooch is so lively, it’s a beautiful little piece.
LikeLike