French 1880's Mourning Dress

 

This amazing 1880's dress is in the MET's collection  - although in storage. It was a gift of Mrs. R. Thornton Wilson to the MET in 1943. I wish there was more info, did she perhaps wear it herself as a young lady?

Hand Coloured Regency Fan

This hand coloured fan dates from1790-1820 and is in the British Museum's collection. Their description:
Unmounted fan-leaf, with a young woman in mourning dress seated by a tombstone on a grave in a landscape.

Peter Robsinson Mourning Warehouse Ad

Good old Peter Robinson. He advertised constantly in the late 19th century. If he could hear, I'd like to thank him for giving us so many glimpses into day-today mourning in Victorian London. I want to attend this sale!!!

1818 Walking Dress Print

This lovely print is in the Museum of London's collection. it dates from 1818. I've read in 2 books that mourning outfits from this time period were never all black. But this print seems to dispute that!

Victorian Mourning Cape

The Ebay seller states that this cape is from 1880. It is 17 inches long and has a 15 inch neck.

Our Darling Coffin Plate

On Ebay right now is this antique silver-plated coffin that says  "OUR DARLING". It measures 4 1/4" across by 3" tall. A little big to be made into a brooch, but tempting!

"The Widow" by Ralph Hedley

The Widow" by Ralph Hedley. The location is  in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle. Signed and dated 1899, oil on canvas. 

Memento Mori Mourning Slide

Up for auction on Ebay right now is this amazing English slide. Slides were built a bit like a modern wristwatch, with two areas on the underside where you could pass a ribbon or a strap through. They could be worn on the wrist or around the neck. This slide dates from around 1720 and features, skulls, crossed bones, woven hair and gold wire initials. What more could you ask for?

Edwardian Mourning Dress

Wouldn't you just die (not literally!) to wear a dress like this? It is in the collection of The Victoria & Albert, dates from 1910-1912 and was worn by a Miss Heather Firbank. From the V&A's description:

The house of Lucile was renowned for its asymmetrical styles, of which this matte black silk crepe dinner dress is a perfect example. Set into a high waist, the bias-cut skirt is softly swathed over the left hip and the hem is extended into a triangular train. The cross-over bodice has a plunging V neck fitted with a machine-made black lace, while bands of cream and black silk decorate the neck and cuffs.
This is from the collection of Heather Firbank (1888-1954), daughter of the MP Sir Thomas Firbank and sister of the novelist Ronald Firbank. The dress is a half-mourning dress, meaning that it was worn in the later stages of mourning. Mourning etiquette was well controlled and what could be worn at each stage was rigidly prescribed.

1850's Agate & Hair Pendant

This double sided pendant features a lovely striped agate on one side and blonde hair on the reverse. It was made in England and dates from the 1850's. Found on Ebay.

Coffinmaker & Undertaker Card

The British Museum has in it's collection this coffin maker's card.

1860 English Woven Hair Earrings

From the Ebay description - A terrific pair of antique Victorian period, solid 15 carat gold (tests thereabouts) mourning earrings; with top quality black vitreous enameled decoration and the central drops beautifully made from very finely woven blonde hair.

Falling Leaves Print

This print of a widow is entitled "Falling Leaves." It was published in 1896 by an artist named Madeleine Lemaire.

1886 Funeral Advertising Device or Annunciator

This wonderful patent for "Funeral Advertising Device or Annunciator" is from Google's Patent Library.

From the patent - "To all who it may concern: The object of my invention is to pri\ovide a simple, neat and convenient device suitable to be hung in a public place, as the vestibule of a church or elsewhere, for announcing a funeral.

1850's Round Hair Work Pin

This lovely French pin dates from the mid-nineteenth century. It is a very large pin, measuring 5 1/2" inches high! I personally, love this fanned & curled type of hair work, so elegant! From Ebay.

The Soldier's Memorial

The Library of Congress has this hand-coloured lithograph in its collection of prints. It was published by Currier & Ives in 1863. Th widow is mourning at the tomb of Civil War soldier.

1891 Harper's Bazaar Fashion

From the New York Public Library's Digital Gallery comes this print. It was published in an 1891 edition of Harper's Bazaar.

1836 Mourning Locket Dedicated To The Memory Of A Child

This lovely locket is dedicated to the memory of 6-year-old Emily who died on Oct. 7, 1836.
The front features a weeping willow towering over a white-enameled tombstone with a small window -- in which is a lock of the Emily's hair. On the inside, ""De'd Oct. 7, 1836 - Ae 6 yrs."  is engraved. As found on Ebay.

Silk Mourning Parasol

The Metropolitan Museum Of Art has some lovely treasures that are not on display. Thank goodness they can be viewed on their website!  This American mourning parasol is definitely one of them. It is from 1915–18 and is made of silk with crepe bands

Monument For Princess Charlotte 1817

England was devastated when it's Princess Charlotte died in 1817 at the age of 21 in childbirth. As Prinny's only legitimate heir she sent the whole of England into mourning. This is a possible design for a monument dedicated to her. The actual monument is below:

From The British Museum 

1888 Braided Hair Mourning Ring

From Ebay comes this engraved gold and diamond ring. The stamp inside dates it to 1888 with another stamp marking the Chester Assay Office. This lovely ring has four sections of braided hair which look remarkably intact despite the wear to the front monogram.

Mourning Walking Dress

From the Los Angeles County Museum Of Art comes this fashion plate. It is described as a Mourning Walking Dress. The print is by Joseph Robins and was published in England, London, July 10, 1830.

Watercolor On Ivory Pin

This lovely British made pin dates from 1787 and is in the collection of  The Victoria & Albert Museum. It is a watercolor painted on ivory, under glass. Lockets & pins could be bought ready-made with the inscription added when purchased.

A Funeral Bearer

Up first is this lovely photo entitled "A Funeral Bearer" by Robert William Buss. It is dated between 1831-1840.  From The Museum Of London's description -

Funeral bearers, or 'mutes' as they were also known, customarily preceded a funeral procession and were a common sight in 19th century London. One of a pair, this painting depicts a funeral bearer at full-length standing next to a column, within a feigned oval.
Dressed predominately in black - a black suit, a top hat covered in black and a black sash - he is holding a staff, also draped in black, in his right hand. Facing half-right and looking slightly downwards, his expression is appropriately sombre. The other painting in the Museum's collection shows a 'mute' wearing a white sash, holding a staff covered in white and facing the other way.