A group of 19th century mourning jewellery Comprising...
A group of 19th century mourning jewellery
Comprising three brooches, the first an oval black enamel plaque with half pearl star motif centre and glazed hairwork compartment to the reverse, the other two of rectangular form with glazed hairwork centres within black enamel or half pearl frames, one engraved to the reverse ‘M.A. Yorke Died 21 Dec 1852 Aged 28’; together with three gem-set rings in half pearl frames, one engraved ‘Philip Hollingworth Esq. Died 31 Jan.y 1828’; a hairwork buckle design band ring and a black and white enamel plaque ring inscribed ‘Mary Ann Kilner OB 25 Sep 1816 AE 41’, two rings with UK hallmarks for 18 carat gold, brooch lengths: 5.3cm, 3.7cm and 2.3cm, ring sizes L, M, S, N and N (8) (partially illustrated)
The etiquette surrounding death became more complex and rigid in the course of the 19th century, with strict periods of mourning observed following a bereavement.
By the 1860s a widow was expected to dress in full black for a year and a day after her husband’s death, wearing minimal black ornament, usually made of jet. After that she was gradually allowed more elaborate mourning jewellery, then diamonds and pearls, and finally a return to coloured stones.
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A group of 19th century mourning jewellery
Comprising three brooches, the first an oval black enamel plaque with half pearl star motif centre and glazed hairwork compartment to the reverse, the other two of rectangular form with glazed hairwork centres within black enamel or half pearl frames, one engraved to the reverse ‘M.A. Yorke Died 21 Dec 1852 Aged 28’; together with three gem-set rings in half pearl frames, one engraved ‘Philip Hollingworth Esq. Died 31 Jan.y 1828’; a hairwork buckle design band ring and a black and white enamel plaque ring inscribed ‘Mary Ann Kilner OB 25 Sep 1816 AE 41’, two rings with UK hallmarks for 18 carat gold, brooch lengths: 5.3cm, 3.7cm and 2.3cm, ring sizes L, M, S, N and N (8) (partially illustrated)
The etiquette surrounding death became more complex and rigid in the course of the 19th century, with strict periods of mourning observed following a bereavement.
By the 1860s a widow was expected to dress in full black for a year and a day after her husband’s death, wearing minimal black ornament, usually made of jet. After that she was gradually allowed more elaborate mourning jewellery, then diamonds and pearls, and finally a return to coloured stones.
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Time, Location
Auction House
