Antique Early Victorian 18ct Gold Pearl & Hairwork Mourning Locket Brooch

A wonderful gold English mourning locket brooch from the early Victorian era! This very special brooch is made of 18ct gold and beholds a sentimental inscription of a departed loved one; inscribed to the reverse "John Teta obt 23Jan, y1839 aet76".

The brooch features a halo of natural pearls and framed hairwork. Centrally, the braided brunette hairwork rests behind a glass frame and has an ivory like backing. There is a hinged glass opening to the reverse. Twenty-four lustrous natural seed pearls accent the border. The pearls are slightly graduated in size from 2.80mm to 4.00mm largest, and most display beautiful satiny creamy white hue's (one pearl didn't surpass the passage of time and has broken in the setting, though barely noticed). The pearls rest in typical Georgian low crimped style settings with scalloped edging. A pin and c-loop, along with a safety chain/pin, secures the brooch to garments.

The brooch measures 2.80xm x 2.60cm.

*Online research (via UK site Curiousfox.com) has discovered John Teta was from Bethnal Green, London. He was a weaver and worked at 70 Church Street, Bethnal Green. He married Elizabeth Pottier in 1785 and had at least three daughters. Between 1835 - 1839 John Teta and his grandson, Matthew John Lill were the licensees of the White Hart pub, Bethnal Green Road. John Teta died in 1839.

Video of the brooch can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q5OXXItw9co

A cherished early Victorian brooch, and an outstanding example of 19th century mourning jewellery. It would make a perfect addition to any mourning collection!