Mourning pins are part of mourning jewelry, traditionally worn during a period of mourning. Most modern pins are antiques, and mourning-specific clothing and jewelry are rarely made. Mourning jewelry is an old concept, and mourning pins are usually made from jet and have a simple design. They can be worn as brooches or on hats, veils, and scarves.
Mourning pins are pins to be worn during a period of mourning, and are usually accompanied with other pieces of mourning jewelry such as earrings, rings, and bracelets. Since mourning-specific clothing and jewelry is rarely made in the modern era, most modern pins are antiques, with some being treasured family heirlooms. Because traditional mourning is not practiced as widely as it once was, mourning pins are not often used as part of the mourning process, but may appear at other times, especially during formal events.
The concept of mourning jewelry is quite old, as suggested by artifacts from numerous cultures around the world. Such jewelry can commemorate the passing of a loved one by immortalizing their portrait, or by using pieces of jewelry from the deceased in a new piece of jewelry. Mourning jewelry was also traditionally given by wealthy families. Mourning jewelry has often integrated themes of death, such as the colors associated with death by a particular culture, and ghoulish embellishments such as skulls.
In the West, the concept of mourning jewelry reached its height in the Victorian era, due to the period of deep mourning undertaken by Queen Victoria. Mourning pins and other adornments became the height of fashion, and many women actually went to great lengths to look elegant while in mourning. By tradition, in the first year and on a day of mourning, no jewelry or ornaments of any kind could be worn; Mourning pins generally entered the wardrobe in the second stage of mourning, during which light ornamentation was permitted.
Many mourning pins are made from materials such as jet, a form of fossilized charcoal that can be left dull or polished to a deep black. They might feature jet carvings, cameos, portraits of the deceased, and sometimes even locks of human hair. Hair was a popular souvenir for the Victorians, as well as earlier generations of humans, and could be encased under glass or worked into various shapes.
As a general rule, a mourning pin has a very sober and simple design. Bright colors are generally frowned upon, as are big, ostentatious designs, but mourning pins can still be quite beautiful and elegant. Depending on who designed it, a mourning pin can also be designed to be worn as a collar, and such pins can be worn as brooches or on hats, veils, and scarves. Many Victorian mourning pins are fine, and it’s no wonder they have become treasured collector’s items.
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