A selection of Queen Victoria’s unique “mourning jewelry” is being auctioned in London.
The most striking, a “hardstone, enamel and diamond pendant” centering on an onyx heart features the word “Alice” underneath a coronet on its front. The words “Dear Alice” are also inscribed on its reverse alongside the princess’s death date “14th December 1878” — the 17th anniversary of the passing of Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, in 1861.
The cross-shaped brooch, which also features a lock of Princess Alice’s hair, is expected to sell for between $3,000 and $4,000 when the auction begins on March 24.
Princess Alice is also remembered in a unique onyx pearl button featuring an initial “A” set with seed pearls. Its reverse features a miniature portrait of Alice inscribed with the words “From Mama VRI 7th April 1879.”
The third brooch is described as a “banded agate and pearl pendant” dating from 1878 that includes a lock of Princess Alice’s hair and is inscribed “from Grandmama VR” as a gift from the Queen to Alice’s daughter, Princess Victoria.
The agate and diamond pendant opens to reveal a miniature photograph of the Queen’s mother, with a touching inscription from Albert reading, “Dear Mama. From Albert in remembrance of March 16, 1861. Du warst uns Freud und Glück (You were our joy and happiness).”
Queen Victoria is synonymous with the act of mourning. The British monarch famously wore black every day for forty years following the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert on Dec. 14, 1861.
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Over the course of her 64-year-reign — second only in length to therecord-breaking68-year (and counting!) reign ofQueen Elizabeth II— Victoria suffered many other losses, including her mother and three of her children.
During this time, she adorned herself in black crepe and wearable mementos of her loved ones, creating a new fashion for mourning jewelry throughout Victorian Britain.
source: people.com
