Objects of Mourning: Eighteenth Century

Listed in chronological order by the date of each item
Click photos for larger views and additional information

Georgian Era, Sepia-Toned Mourning Miniature
Depicting a Young Lady Standing at the Gravesite
of a Friend or Loved One with the Initials of 'M. B.'

dated 1773
Artist unknown

3/4 x 1 3/8 inches (sight)

watercolor (and possibly chopped hair) on ivory; housed in a navette-shaped gold brooch

Georgian Era Mourning Miniature,
Rich with Symbolism, Including a Skull and Crossbones,
Reminiscent of Older Memento Mori Pieces

circa 1780-1790
Artist unknown

1 11/16 x 2 1/16 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gold pendant frame with hair work and a seed pearl bow to the reverse

Sepia-Toned Mourning Scene to the Reverse of
a Portrait of Hannah Hardman; Inscribed,
"In Memory of Samuel and Hannah Hardman,
Whose Short but Amiable Lives Promised a
Virtuous and Engaging Maturity."

English
circa 1790
Artist unknown*

1 1/2 x 2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gold pendant frame

*Hannah Hardman's portrait to the obverse was painted by Thomas Hazlehurst, but it is not known if Hazlehurst also painted this mourning scene to the reverse.

Georgian Era Sepia-Toned Mourning Miniature
Depicting a Funerary Urn Emblazoned with the Initial "T";
to the Reverse is a gold cipher with the initials "MWM",
Plated Hair and an Engraved Motto, which Reads,
"Une Marque de Reconnoissance" a Mark of Remembrance"

circa 1790
Artist unknown

3/4 x 1 3/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a navette-shaped gold brooch with a surround of blue enamel and split pearls

Formerly in the Collection of Marielle Soni (1972-2023;
independent curator, art consultant and collector), Melbourne Australia

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