Love Tokens and Mourning Miniatures

30 artifacts in this set

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Mourning brooches and pendants from the late-18th, early-19th century.

Mourning Pendant for Samuel Ralston, 1795

Pendant (Jewelry)

Before the 20th century, death came early and often. One way people coped was to wear jewelry as memorials to their loved ones. Over the centuries, mourning jewelry followed the prevailing fashions. Shortly after independence, Americans favored illuminated, miniature brooches and pendants painted on ivory. These featured shapes derived from classical design, symbols such as urns and weeping women dressed as ancient Romans.

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