A beautifully preserved antique Georgian Memento Mori brooch from the late 18th Century built around a remarkable centrepiece depicting an urn atop a memorial pedestal with the words: “In memory of” written at the front.
The image is intricately detailed and put together by a true master of the art. It’s set on a plain white base and created from a variety of materials including gold wire, seed pearls and hair that has been worked beautifully into the shape of a willow tree above the memorial.
Memento Mori jewellery was often worn as a commemorative souvenir to remember a loved one. The pieces were commonly decorated with skulls, crossbones, and coffins but the morbid themes were not a celebration of death, but rather a reminder to live your life well and cherish each waking day.
The image has been preserved behind a glass window and set in an ornate 18ct gold frame with exquisite scrolling metalwork around the outside. It’s complete with a secret glass window locket at the back which would have traditionally held a lock of hair belonging to the deceased loved one.
This is an incredibly rare Georgian find and was clearly a much-beloved piece that has been kept in excellent condition across the centuries.
Weighs: 42.7 grams
Measures: Width 70mm x Height 63mm x Depth 12mm - Centrepiece 46mm x 37mm
Metal: 18ct Gold (Tested)
Condition: Some gold wiring on the centrepiece has come away over time but mostly it's intact and in excellent condition given its age.
ITEM NUMBER: 6820
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