This is a Georgian Pietra Dura Mourning Brooch.
It features a delicate floral inlay set against a black onyx background. A beautiful blend of artistry and sentiment, this brooch reflects the elegant mourning and sentimental jewelry traditions of the early 19th century.
Mourning jewelry played an important role in commemorating lost loved ones. Black onyx was commonly used in mourning brooches, symbolizing grief, devotion, and eternal remembrance. The handcrafted Pietra Dura floral inlay was likely chosen to represent everlasting love and the fleeting nature of life, making this brooch both a fashionable adornment and a deeply sentimental keepsake.
Pietra Dura, an intricate Italian inlay technique, was highly prized in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many pieces were purchased as Grand Tour souvenirs by aristocratic travelers visiting Europe. While not all Pietra Dura pieces were specifically made for mourning, the black onyx base and subdued floral motif suggest that this brooch may have been worn as a subtle token of remembrance or as part of formal mourning attire.
Made in Italy