Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Mourning locket mystère

 

Victorian mourning jewelry is what originally got me interested in vintage jewelry. Whenever I find a special piece at the right price, I grab it up. Like this locket I found earlier this summer! The animal symbolism was lost on me so I asked Hayden Peters for some expert advice. Mr. Peters keeps the excellent blog Art of Mourning, where he does thoughtful posts about mourning jewelry, photos, funeralia and other sentimental objects. I also chatted with some other mourning jewelry aficionados and this is what I learned.

The Forget-Me-Not symbolizes remembrance. The dog stands for fidelity and loyalty, always waiting for its owner. The cat is a little bit tricky. One person suggested that cats symbolize resurrection and rebirth in some societies. If that's the case here, then what does it mean that the woman is holding the cat and walking away from the dog? What do you think this scene is all about?

7 comments:

LUXXOR said...

Art of Mourning is an amazing blog! Thanks for the tip.
Lovely locket as well.

Sarah
http://LUXXORvintage.com

Marguerite said...

Thank you for the link. We have a large painting of a "sleeping child" that has been in my husband's family since Victorian times and I bet he can help me unravel some of its story. (I doubt the child is sleeping) Your locket: I wonder, because she's holding the cat, could it be for comfort?

Anonymous said...

I am speechless! That locket is gorgeous. Thanks for pointing out the Art of Mourning blog, I think I'll be reading it for the rest of the day!

Sadie Rose said...

i think there is a tarot card somewhere with similar imagery.... and tells some kind of story of solitude. but alas, i can't recall enough of it to provide any good information. mourning jewelry is so very beautiful and haunting.

Feronia said...

But she is looking *at* the dog, while holding the cat. So she is loyal to the memory of whoever has died (like the dog) but confident that they will be reborn/resurrected (like the cat). Maybe? Beautiful locket.

Jean Jean Vintage said...

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments ladies! I really enjoyed reading your ideas about this little scene!

Little Tree Vintage said...

this is gorgeous! i love it!

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