Beautiful Antique Victorian 10K Gold Mourning Brooch, Enamel & French Hair Art

Beautiful Antique Victorian 10K Gold Mourning Brooch, Enamel & French Hair Art. A most impressive antique 10K gold filled mourning/sentimental locket front brooch. The brooch features ornate gold repousse work against a jet black enamel background. The center of the brooch holds an oval glass compartment containing plaited hair, in memory of a beloved person long departed. Dating to the early to mid Victorian gothic revival era the brooch has a solid gold back polished to a mirror finish featuring a very sturdy long pin stem, t-hinge and c-clasp. Despite its considerable age it is in the incredible condition that we can expect to see in fine jewelry of a particularly high quality - it could have been made yesterday! A superb example of desirable English antique mourning jewelry of the'grand period and highly collectible! Mourning jewelry was popular during the Georgian and Victorian times. It served as a touchstone to remember loved ones who had passed away before photographs were readily available.

Mourning jewelry was predominately black, but not always. As in this piece it was sometimes decorated with the deceased's hair or symbolic adornment such as white enamel for a virgin unmarried woman, pearls for infants or different colors for the different stages of grief. This is a lovely example, tastefully decorated and not too over-embellished. MATERIALS: 10K gold filled base metal and enamel. MEASUREMENTS: 2 3/16" wide x 1 7/8" high.

The hair compartment measures 3/4" x 1 1/8". CONDITION: Very good, no discoloration or wear to the gold, some dust accumulation - needs a cleaning.

The pin back and hinge are in perfect working order. The hairwork is still well pillowed with minor signs of deterioration. The glass compartment moves a little inside the frame and could use some cushioning from the back to hold it steady.

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