Victorian hand brooch, a symbol of mourning and grief, vulcanite

Jewelry : Antique : Fine : Victorian : Mourning

 

This Victorian mourning hand brooch was made from vulcanite; a by-product of rubber. During the Victorian era, mourning jewelry was in high demand and the "discovery" that vulcanite could be used to make jewelry was an important development for the jewelry industry. It was a light weight, inexpensive material that could be used to replace Whitby jet, which was difficult to work with, costly and in very short supply.

Dimensions: #9412 is 2.75 inches long

Condition: excellent

Year: 1850-70

Price #9412 is $150

Item ID: 9412