Antique Vintage Victorian Sterling Silver English 1886 Mourning Bird Pin Brooch

  

We have similar Mourning and Victorian items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Angela A. Markings: Sterling silver lion mark, Birmingham anchor assay mark, and "M" date letter for the year 1886 on the back of the brooch, tested, and guaranteed.

Gram Weight : 5.1 grams. Item Measurements: The brooch measures 1.35" in length by 1.23" in width. Brooch, lapel pin, hat pin, scarf pin, tie pin. Closure Type: Pin stem with an open "c" clasp. If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece, so it can be worn as a pendant.

Handmade during the Victorian period by a silversmith in Birmingham, England. Created in the style of a mourning or memento mori piece, the back of the brooch contains its original silk backing. Behind this silk, there is space for an item, such as hair, to be placed to remember a deceased loved one or to be reminded of mortality. The "M" date letter mark indicates this item dates to the year 1886.

The sterling silver brooch features a floral motif shape; adorning this shape is the design of a swallow carrying a branch with flowers and leaves. The brooch was also skillfully hand-chased with foliate motifs.

Completed with a pin stem and open "c" clasp, making this brooch appropriate for wear on a variety of clothing and accessories. There is some tarnish on this brooch, which gives it a lovely antique quality. This listing is for the item only. The Victorian era took place from the year 1836 to the year 1901, which was the span of Queen Victorias reign.

Queen Victorias style was undoubtedly influential on the fashions of her country and ultimately led to three distinct jewelry trends emerging from the era. The first of these three styles was the Romantic period. The Romantic period was impacted by the Georgian period, which preceded it. The second period was the Grand period, which was primarily defined by mourning jewelry and the trends surrounding it.

The final period was the Aesthetic period. The Aesthetic period was more lighthearted and airy than the previous periods and focused on aesthetic beauty and joy. This era features floral, natural, and feminine motifs, and utilized chased gold designs, enamel, and seed pearls. Mourning Jewelry has been around for hundreds of years but became especially popular during the Victorian era.

When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria went into a state of mourning for over 40 years. She would often wear Black Memorial jewelry, Jet and Onyx. With the public seeing this, it rose immensely in popularity and soon enough was a staple of the Victorian period.

Oftentimes, mourning jewelry included a relic from the deceased. Memento Mori objects and jewelry were created to remind one of mortality.

These objects of adornment, most often rings, are referred to as Memento Mori a succinct term reminding us of our transience on Earth, and a warning to prepare ourselves for whatever other realm awaits us. This type of item really gained popularity during the 1500s. Chasing is a metalworking technique that uses a nail-like tool and hammer to hand etch patterns onto a metal surface. This process creates a design that is sunk into the front of the surface using indentations, grooves, and channels. Chasing is thousands of years old and was a very difficult and time-consuming technique that is still used by metalsmiths today.

The item "Antique Vintage Victorian Sterling Silver English 1886 Mourning Bird Pin Brooch" is in sale since Saturday, June 13, 2020. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Fine\Victorian, Edwardian 1837-1910\Pins, Brooches". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
• Material: Silk
• Metal Purity: .925
• Metal: Sterling Silver