George Washington Mourning Jewelry

…but first, a Wedgwood Black Basalt Masterpiece…

Sold at Northeast Auctions August 1, 2008 for $5,382.00

We just don’t mourn the way we used to…

In the past, in the day’s before videos and photos and recordings we didn’t have many ways to literally hold on to something of a loved one who had passed. Mourning jewelry filled this need. It gave us something tangible, and real – something that would last, something that was an actual part of them…

If you were wealthy, your mourning jewelry could be as elaborate as George Washington’s.

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I think that George, and Martha Washington must have loved each other…

I know some people think the whole hair thing is creepy, that it is kind of strange. But I don’t. I have noticed that people are drawn to mourning jewelry, like they are drawn to any mystery…

Locket with locks of George Washington and Martha Washington’s hair
Sold at James D. Julia Auctions August 5, 2009 for $ 7,475.00

Not all Mourning Jewelry contains a lock of hair though…

Sometimes it has a picture of the decedent, and other times it will be enameled with black and gold…

All Images are linked to their respective Auction Houses, with background material researched on Prices4Antiques.Com

Here Is A Link To Our Mourning Jewelry Page

Fine Estate Mourning Jewelry

Some Additional Mourning Jewelry Sites:

History of Mourning Jewelry

Museum Of Mourning Jewelry

Victorian Hair Work Society

Article By

Martin Codina