I don’t usually make a separate note when I write selections of jewellery at auctions. But the mourning pieces offered by Sotheby’s on 11 June in London are so remarkable in their quality and state of preservation that I could not leave them out. Add to this the rarity of these objects, which date from the late 17th century.
And choosing a piece to show you was impossible, so I decided to devote an article to this set. I also take the opportunity to refer you to an article written on the site concerning these atypical jewels, unfortunately unknown, and more particularly the use of hair in the jewel.
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.12.48](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-12-48-1.png)
Lot 211: Mourning barrette, gold, hair and rock crystal. An inscription “I rest” completes the piece. Circa 1690, estimated at £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.17.58](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-17-58-1.png)
Lot 212: A gold, hair and rock-crystal mourning clip. Circa 1690, inscribed with the phrase Men.Lo.Mori and the initials P.C. Estimate £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.21.59](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-21-59-1.png)
Lot 213: A gold, hair and rock crystal mourning bar. The inscription G.P ob: 26 Janu: 85 dates the coin to 1685. Estimated at £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.24.40](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-24-40-1.png)
Lot 214: A gold, hair, rock crystal and garnet mourning brooch. Circa 1705, inscribed Mat & Novemr 1705. Estimated at £1000-£1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.26.57](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-26-57-1.png)
Lot 215: A gold, hair and rock crystal mourning brooch. Circa 1690, estimated at £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.29.25](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-29-25-1.png)
Lot 216: A gold, silver, fine pearls, hair and rock crystal mourning brooch with the initials R.R. Circa 1690. Estimated £1,500-2,000. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.31.57](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-31-57-1.png)
Lot 217: A gold, hair and rock crystal mourning pendant with the initials A.O. on one side and J.H. on the other. Circa 1690. Estimate £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.35.07](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-35-07-1.png)
Lot 218: A gold, hair and rock crystal mourning brooch with the initials M.S. and the inscription borne March 19 day 97 years dyed may 27 99 years. Circa 1690, estimated at £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.40.18](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-40-18-1.png)
Lot 219: A gold, hair and rock crystal mourning brooch with the initials J.D. and the inscription dyed October 16th 1695. Estimated at £1000-1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.43.57](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-43-57-1.png)
Lot 220: A brooch and ring set, circa 1690, gold, hair and rock crystal, inscriptions almost illegible. Estimated at £1000-£1500. Photo: Sotheby’s
![Capture d’écran 2015-05-29 à 19.46.29](https://legemmologue.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/capture-d_ecc81cran-2015-05-29-acc80-19-46-29-1.png)
Lot 221: A gold necklace composed of various gold, hair and rock crystal mourning medallions. Late 17th and 18th century. Probably assembled in the 19th century. Is it a family piece or an assemblage, difficult to say. Estimated at £3000-5000. Photo: Sotheby’s
See you soon!