Victorian Gutta Percha Mourning Brooch with Hand Holding Rose

A striking Victorian mourning brooch crafted from gutta percha, carved in the form of a graceful hand holding a blooming rose. Richly symbolic, the motif reflects themes of remembrance, love, and loss that were central to mourning jewelry of the 19th century.

The sculptural hand emerges from a delicately detailed cuff and gently clasps the rose stem, with leaves and petals carved in relief above - often called “hand of remembrance.”. The deep matte black tone of gutta percha gives the brooch its distinctive appearance — a material widely used during the Victorian mourning period as a more durable alternative to jet.

Jewelry like this was often worn during periods of mourning and became popular following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, when Queen Victoria famously adopted black jewelry as part of her mourning attire.

Lightweight and beautifully detailed, this brooch offers a small but expressive example of Victorian symbolism and craftsmanship, perfect for collectors of mourning jewelry or lovers of unusual antique pieces.

DETAILS
Metal: None (Gutta Percha)
Weight: 3.1 grams
Size/Dimensions: 1.65" x 0.85"
Stone(s): None
Hallmarks & Testing: Unmarked; tested and identified as gutta percha
Condition: Antique condition with age-appropriate surface wear and patina
Approx. Year: Circa 1860–1880
Style: Victorian mourning jewelry
Shipping: Carefully packaged and shipped with tracking

Thank you for considering one of our carefully curated pieces of vintage jewelry.