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Description
This is a striking British late-Victorian (Aesthetic-era) sterling silver mourning brooch, dating to about 1880. It has a “target” design of a central dome surrounded by bead and pestle shapes, with rope-style trims.
The back is gently domed, rising up to a glass window lined with a small piece of black fabric. The window is held in place by two small spurs of metal and opens by being eased out, revealing a small compartment for a memento. At first glance, the compartment appears to be lined with a white clay material but it is actually very pale metal, possibly untarnished silver.
The brooch is fitted with a period tube hinge, extended pin stem and sturdy c-clasp. The pin stem and window frame are a gold colour, most likely a base metal.
Dimensions/Weight
3 cm (1.2″) in diameter. Weight is 10 grams (035 oz).
Marks
There is a scratch mark resembling “VI” inside the compartment, but otherwise it is not marked – not unusual for Victorian jewellery.
Condition
It is in good to very good antique condition for a dimensional brooch of this age with only some slight (not deforming) dimpling to the centre dome, and a small ding at the outer end of two of the pestles. In my opinion, these do not spoil the look of the brooch, especially as it is very reflective. (Any other apparent dings are tricks of the light.)
