Victorian Onyx and Pearl 14k Buckle Pin/Brooch

During her reign, Queen Victoria greatly influenced fashion and the accessories worn with it. When she went into an extended period of mourning after her husband, Prince Albert, passed in 1961, she wore traditional mourning attire and ushered in new era of fashionable jewels.

As for mourning practices, there were three distinct mourning periods: deep mourning or full mourning, second mourning, and half-mourning. There were rules  of what men and women should wear in each period of mourning.

This brooch may have been worn for mourning or as a fashionable pin of the period. If for mourning, the pearls would represent tears and most likely would have been worn during the half-morning.  This particular brooch also displays the buckle motif which was popularized by Queen Victoria because of the symbol of the Order of the Garter ( order of chivalry ) of which she was the sovereign.

Date: 1890s

Measurements: 2-3/8" by 5/8"

Hallmarks: None, tested 14k

Stones: Pearl, onyx

Condition: Excellent condition