Antique
jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian
eras
E-mail Darlene
Georgian mourning miniature on ivory
Reference #: 10113
Status: sold
Dimensions: 5.25 inches by 5.5 inches or 13.3 cm by 13.9 cm
Condition: excellent
Year: 1810-30
Price: $595 sold
Description: The earliest French hair art commemorated the life of the person who had died instead of using only mourning symbols such as a tomb, etc. . Oftentimes the deceased life and work was depicted in the memorial picture. In this Georgian mourning miniature, a fisherman stands to the left of an ornate obelisk (tomb). The man fishing could symbolize the belief that Christ is a fisherman of souls or, it could symbolize the craft which the departed practiced, namely, fishing. Note in the background, with the setting sun behind it, is a church with 3 weeping trees. A red, setting sun symbolizes life's end. The Palm tree to the left of the gentleman fishing is a common French mourning symbol. It is often used instead of the weeping willow tree. This finely executed mourning picture is covered with convex glass. The frame is ebony wood with a gold ormolu ring (gold on brass) and the hair work is on ivory.
