What is Georgian mourning jewellery?

Georgian mourning jewellery consists of wearable pieces created during the eighteenth century to remember deceased loved ones. These items frequently take the form of rings and brooches incorporating personal imagery or symbolic materials.

How were these pieces used?

Owners wore these items as personal tokens of grief and remembrance for family members or close associates who had passed away. They served as both a social signal of bereavement and a private, tactile connection to the departed.

What materials are typical?

Mourning items from this period commonly employ gold, 18ct yellow gold, enamel, glass and paste stones. Artists also utilised ink and plaster to create miniature silhouette portraits within the pieces.

How do you identify the period?

Identification relies on the specific structural forms, craftsmanship techniques and stylistic conventions characteristic of the eighteenth century. Details such as specific gold purities and silhouette styles help confirm the era.