Victorian Mourning Brooch.

Antique Victorian Photo Brooch or Mourning Brooch. These historical jewelry pieces were popular during the Victorian era (1837-1901), especially after Queen Victoria's extended mourning for Prince Albert, which set a trend for incorporating memorial items into daily wear. Key characteristics and significance of such a brooch: Commemorative Purpose: It served as a personal token of remembrance for a deceased loved one, worn close to the heart to symbolize enduring affection and grief. Photo Inset: As seen in your image, these brooches often featured a photograph of the departed, though some also contained locks of hair, miniature portraits, or symbolic motifs under glass. Materials and Design: Typically, they were made with somber materials like black enamel, jet, or onyx, reflecting the mourning period's aesthetics. However, gold or other metals, often with intricate designs like the rope-twist border visible in your image, were also used to frame the memorial element. Historical Context: Mourning jewelry reflects the prevalent social customs and attitudes towards death and loss during the 19th century, a time when death was a more common and publicly acknowledged part of life