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Jewelry : 1800s
This item has been sold
A Rare Victorian Gutta Percha Mouring Jewelry Set With Original Box
Gutta Percha products are from the mid to late 1800's. The sap of a tropical tree has been used by dentist, furniture makes, jewelry, photography cases, golf balls and many other industrial products.
A product that could be molded and it's dark color, gutta percha was used in the Victorian era mourning jewelry.
The advent of photography, the occult movement and other factors, the Victorian era society had a small fascination with the deceased. Photographs were taken of the departed, the family members would make jewelry out of their hair and it was common for a widow to wear black in mourning for years after a beloved had died.
Here is a wonderful piece and is rare due to the fact that Gutta Percha, being a natural material, have been lost to damage and to insect eating the material. So to have a set come in with the original box is amazing.
The set includes: Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet and Broach.
The set is designed with oak leaves which is very popular in this time:
"hospitality, stability, strength, honour, eternity, endurance, liberty. It is believed to have been the tree from which Jesus Christ's cross was made. In smaller pioneer cemeteries, it is common to place children's graves near oak trees. The oak tree was the tree of life in pre-Christian times. The Druids worshipped the oak. The oak, oak leaves and acorn can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on military tombs"
The original box, the four piece set puts this set above others out there for sale.
Condition: Some areas have small chips off the leaves, I have tried to photograph these areas to give you a visual description. One of the earrings has a new backing. The metal behind the gutta percha has tarnished.
The box has wear but is intact.
Size: box is approx. 9" x 9"
If you have any questions or need additional photos, please feel free to contact me.
A product that could be molded and it's dark color, gutta percha was used in the Victorian era mourning jewelry.
The advent of photography, the occult movement and other factors, the Victorian era society had a small fascination with the deceased. Photographs were taken of the departed, the family members would make jewelry out of their hair and it was common for a widow to wear black in mourning for years after a beloved had died.
Here is a wonderful piece and is rare due to the fact that Gutta Percha, being a natural material, have been lost to damage and to insect eating the material. So to have a set come in with the original box is amazing.
The set includes: Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet and Broach.
The set is designed with oak leaves which is very popular in this time:
"hospitality, stability, strength, honour, eternity, endurance, liberty. It is believed to have been the tree from which Jesus Christ's cross was made. In smaller pioneer cemeteries, it is common to place children's graves near oak trees. The oak tree was the tree of life in pre-Christian times. The Druids worshipped the oak. The oak, oak leaves and acorn can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on military tombs"
The original box, the four piece set puts this set above others out there for sale.
Condition: Some areas have small chips off the leaves, I have tried to photograph these areas to give you a visual description. One of the earrings has a new backing. The metal behind the gutta percha has tarnished.
The box has wear but is intact.
Size: box is approx. 9" x 9"
If you have any questions or need additional photos, please feel free to contact me.
Detail photos Click to enlarge
