Gifts of Grandeur: The Cory Mourning Bracelet, 1860

Bracelet
Cory Bequest
Crouzet, 1860
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We've seen several pieces of jewelry by Crouzet. This bracelet certainly fits the style of Crouzet's from the early 1860s. Crouzet worked for all of the major Parisian goldsmiths, and was celebrated for producing jewelry of fine quality and original design. He is especially well known for designing pieces in the Moroccan taste.

This bracelet is definitely a piece of mourning jewellery in traditional black enameled gold, pearls and brilliant cut diamonds. It is hung with five small lockets, each of which opens to allow for a photograph or lock of hair. The lockets are set with diamonds in the form of symbolic images: a cross, anchor and heart, which symbolise the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. It also shows a locket with a star and the initial, "A." 

The bracelet once belonged to Lady Cory whose incredible collection of jewels forms a large part of the jewelry exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum.