Antique Vintage Georgian 18k Gold Memento Mori Black Enamel Brooch Pin Pendant

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Antique Vintage Georgian 18k Gold Memento Mori Black Enamel Brooch Pin Pendant:
$236.49

We have other Memento Mori pieces up for sale this week! To view them in separate listings please click on the image links below:
Due to an increase in unpaid items and cancellations, we are now enforcing ’s “Unpaid Item” policy. Their policy states, “If you\'ve placed a winning offer or clicked the Buy It Now button in a listing, you\'ve committed to purchasing that item. If you don\'t pay for it, even if you\'ve changed your mind, you violate the unpaid item policy.” If you choose to not pay for, or cancel, an item, we will open an unpaid item case against you and work with to have your buying privileges revoked. We are a small business and it is unfair for us to suffer losses each week due to customers changing their minds or not reading the full description of an item. Before offerding, please make sure you have read through the listing, considered any shipping or import/duty charges, and are willing to pay your high offer. Thank you for your understanding!
The Piece
sale Estimate:$1,000 - $2,000
Age Circa: Georgian C. 1714 - 1837
Markings: Inscribed \"Frances Kenworthy 4th May 1840, Obt 17 yrs\" in a beautiful lettering font, Tested, Guaranteed
Country of Origin: Unknown
Brand: Unknown
Gram Weight:7.7 Grams
Metal Type: 18k Yellow Gold
Metal Melt Value:$247.00 (Value All-Inclusive Weight)
Material:Woven Hair, Enamel
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Item Measurements:The brooch is .90\" long by 1.10\" wide
Pendant Style: Memento Mori
Closure Type:Standard Bale
Convertible:Yes. The pendant has a working pin backing.
Notable Features: This pendant would have been handmade by a talented artist during the Georgian era!This could have been made as a remembrance or as a gift to a loved one to remember as a keepsake. It would have been custom commissioned and the hair woven by the jeweler to create the stunning pattern you see.This brooch is made out of solid 18k yellow gold and features a beautiful braided hair centerpiece. The braided hair centerpiece is protected with a beveled glass crystal over the top and features strands of beautiful blonde hair throughout. The hair is braided beautifully within itself to create a stunning pattern. The gold design in this piece is hand crafted out of 18k yellow gold and includes a hand chased pattern around the setting of the braided hair centerpiece. The piece also includesa black enamel design over the edge of the pin. The enamel design features beautiful gold leaf lettering throughout. The piece also includes a thick gold base with a memento message written on the back that reads \"Frances Kenworthy 4th May 1840, Obt 17 yrs\" in a beautiful lettering font. The pendant is finished off with a gorgeous bale that should work with any necklace you have in mind for it. The piece also includes a working pin backing if you would like to utilizethat as well.
Damage: Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*The History
This piece was made during the Georgian era! This era is known for its hand-crafted designs, which were heavily influenced by world exploration. A few signatures of this era were high karat gold, cameos, chatelaine accessories, foil-backed stones, rivière necklaces, memento mori and mourning jewelry, and rose and mine cut diamonds. While the jewelry from this era began to see designs from all over the world, jewelry from abroad was still very expensive to acquire. Hefty price tags were due to imported jewelry having to be procured by sea on slow-moving ships. Between age and difficulty of acquirement, jewelry from the Georgian era are rare finds and amazing pieces of history.
Memento Mori objects and jewelry were created to remind people 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.
Mourning Jewelry has been around for hundreds of years, however gained popularity during the Victorian Period. When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria went into a state of mourning for over 40 years. She would often where 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.
Enameling originally dates all the way back to the ancient Persians of Meenakari. The technique involves bonding powdered glass to a base, usually gold, by firing (heating and melting the glass onto the metal). The glass hardens to form a layer of pigment over the metal. Enamel is made of colored powdered glass or may include clear powdered glass that is mixed with colorful metallic pigments. It was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Celts; and later the Chinese and Georgians. It resurged in popularity in the 20th century. It is primarily used on decorative art or jewelry, usually small in size. Besides jewelry, enamel can also be applied to glass, ceramic, stone, and various other materials.
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 channeling. Chasing is thousands of years old and was very difficult and time-consuming technique that is still used by metalsmiths today. All packages are sent via USPS First Class Insured Mail unless another shipping option is chosen by the buyer. Buy It Now items ship for free (domestically). Shipping on sale items is priced as follows:

Gold: $8.00 + $1.00 per additional gold item & silver items combine for free
Silver: $4.00 + $1.00 per additional gold item & silver items combine for free

PayPal only. After 4 days of non-payment, an automated unpaid item case will be opened by our system. If you need extra time for payment, please contact us prior to offerding.
If you find yourself not wanting to risk losing this piece during an sale, we will entertain Buy It Now offers. However, we will not accept any offers in the 24 hours prior to an sale ending. Please message us with your best offer, and if accepted, we will add a Buy It Now option to this piece for you.
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