LDBDA : 7873.4

jewellery

Gold pin with two infant teeth on gold chains.

Mourning jewellery has been worn since the Middle Ages but became particularly popular in the 19th century. Queen Victoria went into mourning after the death of Prince Albert and this led to it becoming customary for women to mourn for up to two years after the death of a loved one. Mourning jewellery could be worn after a year. An industry developed to supply appropriate clothing and accessories. Objects connected to the deceased such as hair or teeth were often incorporated into pieces of jewellery for the mourner to wear.

gold human teeth; length 30mm; width 20mm