Antique Victorian Mourning Brooch; Circa 1847

A deeply touching early Victorian mourning brooch, rich in personal history and sentiment.

Designed in classic locket form, this brooch features a central glazed compartment which still retains the original woven hair of the departed. Hairwork was an especially intimate element of mourning jewellery in the early Victorian era, serving as a tangible and deeply personal keepsake at a time when photography was still in its infancy. The brooch also features a loop attachment meaning it can also be worn as a pendant making it very wearable.

The reverse of the brooch is formed from a substantial 9 carat gold panel, hand engraved with the dedication: “Rv E King Jv C Slefser 1847.” Such inscriptions anchor the piece firmly in its historical moment, transforming it from an object of adornment into a recorded act of remembrance.

The simplicity and restraint of the design are entirely in keeping with early Victorian mourning aesthetics, where meaning and memory took precedence over ornamentation. It appears this may have been for a religious individual RV maybe referring to a reverend, another reason it maybe a more paired back design. 

A moving and authentic mourning jewel from the mid 19th century, created to honour, remember, and hold close the memory of loved ones.