Pearl and hair work mourning brooch

Georgian gold brooch set with pearl and glass locket with hair

A delicate example of a Georgian mourning jewel, this tiny brooch is set with thirty natural ivory colour seed pearls that shine with a fascinating hint of blue. Blonde-brown hair has been fastidiously braided and encapsulated under a pane of glazed crystal; it is perfectly preserved after two hundred years, a testament to the sentiment behind these very special pieces of jewellery. The brooch is cased in pale yellow gold. Original back pin and ‘C’ clasp is in perfect working order and the piece can certainly still be worn. This is a genuine piece of high quality, collectible Georgian jewellery.

Unmarked but very typical in aesthetic and execution of the Georgian time period (1714-1830)

Tests as low carat gold (.375), approx. the equivilent to today’s 9ct

Measures approx. 21mm x 12mm

Each pearl measures approx. 1-2mm each

Condition: surface wear to casing commensurate with age; a deep, smooth nick to the glass measuring 2mm; all pearls as original; overall very good for an item of 200 years