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Black Oval Mourning Brooch with Faceted Design
Black Oval Mourning Brooch with Faceted Design
Black Oval Mourning Brooch with Faceted Design
Black Oval Mourning Brooch with Faceted Design

Black Oval Mourning Brooch with Faceted Design

DateLate 19th century
Object NameBrooch
Mediumjet and metal
ClassificationsJewellery
DimensionsLength: 4.3cm
Width: 2.5cm
Depth: 1.5cm
AcquisitionPresented in 2013 by Margaret Carlaw.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS082643
About MeSmall oval jet mourning brooch.

The brooch is slightly domed and is decorated with a carved facetted design featuring star shapes, triangles and hatching. The back of the brooch features an oval metal plate with the remains of the pin fastening, but the pin itself is no longer there.

Jet mourning brooches became extremely popular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861. Jet is a hard, fossilised wood and has been used in jewellery and decoration for thousands of years. Most of the jet used to make jewellery in the 19th century came from Whitby in North Yorkshire.

Jet was perfectly versatile, not only because of its colour but also because it was easily carved and manipulated to suit the needs of each stage of mourning. It can be left dull and unpolished, but equally it could be cut and polished into a many facetted, sparkling jewel.