Antique
jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian
eras
E-mail Darlene
Antique
jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian
eras
E-mail Darlene
Antique jewelry> mourning jewelry
Reference #: 8810
Status: sold
Dimensions: a large bold piece:
1 and 2/3 inches wide by 2 and 2/3 inches long
Condition: excellent; note: side with the skull has
flat glass covering it; the side with the tomb has a curved
glass covering it. I am inclined to think that it was made
this way. If the glass was curved on both sides, then it
would not lay properly when worn.
Year: dated 3 July 1852
Price: $895 sold
Description: Memento mori (meaning,
remember thy death) jewelry is rare and highly sought after.
Its purpose was to remind the wearer that death
was an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at
all times.
This double sided watch key/pendant combines the classic
stark memento mori symbols: the skull and crossbones with the
more "gentler" symbols of death: a weeping willow tree, a
cypress tree and tomb. The sterling silver watch key is
European in origin and shows many aspects of fine workmanship.
It is hinged at the top and bottom so that it could be worn and
a watch or clock could be wound without taking off the key!
see photo. The hairwork is on
ivory. To see other images of this item, please
click here: photo1 and
photo2 and photo3
and photo4
