Victorian Mourning Pendant of 14k Gold

A poignant relic of 19th-century sentimentality, this antique mourning pendant (originally a brooch, circa 1840–1860) is a compelling example of Victorian-era memorial jewelry, thoughtfully reimagined for modern wear.

At its center, a hand-carved black and white agate cameo depicts a classical urn beneath a weeping willow—a deeply symbolic motif of remembrance and eternal mourning. The image is framed by a luminous halo of seed pearls, signifying purity and the tears of grief. This powerful tableau is set in warm 14k gold, with a hinged glass locket on the reverse containing a plait of woven hair—a traditional token of personal remembrance.

The brooch was sensitively converted into a pendant by our jeweler, who removed the original pin findings and added a 14k gold bail for contemporary wearability.

The piece measures approximately 1.9 inches from the top of the bail to bottom by 0.4 inches wide, and it is in good antique condition. A stable hairline crack is present on the front of the cameo but is visible only under magnification and does not compromise the integrity of the piece.

The gold content has been verified using both XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis and jeweler’s acid testing, ensuring its authenticity and period accuracy.

Materials: Pearl, Agate, 14k gold.