Sentimental jewelry


Sentiment jewelry is a special name for jewelry that was worn in the 19th century. These are jewels that we wore in memory of the loved one or passed away. Often these jewels contain inscriptions or symbols, or even elements reminding the person for whom this jewel is intended. It can be hair or even teeth sometimes. In a “Memento Mori” or mourning jewelry context, the recurring symbols are the weeping willow, the hair, the urn. In the love context we find hidden messages, flaming hearts but also locks of hair, names. And they often feature words like “friendship” or illustrations of pansy flowers. They also sometimes have puns made with the colors of the stones.

These sentimental jewelry can have all of these elements. These are sought-after and rare jewels, real collector’s items. Here is the selection of Maison Mohs

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  • Vintage love pendant in goldFrench sentimental pendant in gold
    620,00

    Étoile d’Amour medal in 18-karat rose gold. Medal from the 1960s, decorated with a shooting star set with a flying synthetic ruby above the words “Étoile d’amour” (Star of Love). The reverse of the medal is not engraved. Vintage sentimental jewelry, France, 60’s.

    Eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold) and goldsmith’s hallmark.

    Height with bezel: 28 mm
    Width: 22 mm

    Weight: 1.6 gr

    *The antique gold chain is not sold with the jewel*
    See our antique chains

  • georgian swivel gold ringbague reliquaire en or
    2000,00

    Georgian sentimental swivel ring in 18k gold. This georgian ring features a rectangular swivel bezel, with one side containing two intertwined locks of hair—one blonde, the other brown—alongside the names “Alix” and “Virginie,” and the other side displaying a flatly braided hair rectangle. A sentimental ring representing two lovers from the early 19th century, France.

    Hallmark: rooster facing right (1798-1809, France)

    Ring size: 60 EU or 9 US

    Swivel bezel dimensions: 21 x 13 mm

    Condition: wear scratches, slight dent inside the band, some hair detached.

    Weight: 3.68 gr

    Sentimental jewelry, often known as mourning or lover’s jewelry, was particularly popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. These pieces frequently incorporated personal elements like hair, inscriptions, or miniature portraits, serving as intimate mementos of loved ones. Hairwork, in particular, was a cherished practice, symbolizing enduring connections and memories.

  • Gold single earringBlack gold single mono earring
    140,00

    Single black dormeuse earring in 18 karat rose gold (750/1000). Unique dormeuse earring decorated with black glass imitating jet, known as “verre de Paris.” The glass is pointed and decorated with a grid pattern. Antique single earring, circa 1830, France. Unmatched piece.

    Hallmark: ram’s head (1819-1838, french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)

    Height: 18 mm
    Width: 9 mm

    Condition: wear and tear. This earring is sold individually.

    Weight: 1.31 gr

  • mourning ring in goldantique braided hair ring
    390,00

    Georgian mourning hair ring in 9k pink gold. An antique locket ring keeping a braid of hair enclosed behind glass crystal. It is framed by a halo of 16 seed pearls and the settings is formed by two separated strands adorned with an openwork pattern. Jewel from the beginning of the 19th century, circa 1810-1830.

    Trefoil hallmark (French State hallmark for 9-karat gold)

    Finger size: 53 EU or 6.5 US (adjustment possible)

    Ring Head Size: 11 x 11mm

    Condition: old trace of size adjustment, wears on the glass, indentations behind the head of the ring.

    Weight: 2.11 gr

    Hair jewellery was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jewellery with compartments made it possible to keep a lock of hair of a lover or a missing person (later it will be the photograph). It can be a medallion or a ring for example.  There are also jewels made from hair, such as necklaces, chains, bracelets and rings. These hair jewels are worked like textiles: they are woven, embroidered, twisted. A whole craft industry developed around this new fashion, which lasted until the end of the 19th century.

    Read our article “how to recognize a real pearl?”

    *The antique box is not sold with the jewel*

  • Antique garnet locket pendant
    500,00

    Hexagonal Art Nouveau locket pendant in 18-karat (750) rose and yellow gold. Locket pendant opening onto a secret compartment in which a photograph can be placed.  The pendant is decorated with a yellow gold arabesque holding three gems in a stylized manner: two half-pearls and a small garnet.  Antique French medallion, Art Nouveau period, circa 1900, France.

    Eagle’s head hallmark (French state hallmark for 18 karat gold)

    Height (with bail): 32 mm
    Width: 21mm

    Condition: scratches from use

    Weight: 3.55 gr

    *The antique box is not sold with the jewel*

  • bague homme secret en orantique man ring monogrammed FD
    1200,00

    Antique secret signet ring in 18 karat (750) rose gold. Antique wedding ring monogrammed “FD”. The ring opens under the bezel, revealing a secret compartment that can conceal a sentimental element (a flower, a lock of hair, for example). The inside of the ring is engraved with the words “V. Decondé et F. Destrée unis le 6 juin 1855”, the date of union of the two engaged couples. Antique ring for men. The ring is decorated with rinceaux in relief. Antique secret wedding ring, 1855, France.

    Eagle head hallmark (French state hallmark for 18 karat gold), “FD fourmi” goldsmith’s hallmark.

    Finger circumference: 65 UE or 11 US (possible resizing) 

    Bezel size: 8 x 7 mm

    Condition: tiny scratches

    Weight : 2.68 gr

  • broche flèche ancienne perle et diamantsDiamond and pearl arrow brooch
    600,00

    Edwardian diamond pearl arrow brooch in 18 karats rose gold and silver. Brooch featuring an arrow with 22 diamonds on the tip and tail, and a fine pearl on the shaft (diameter approx. 4.9 mm). Antique brooch, late 19th – early 20th century.

    Partially inscribed owl hallmark (French State hallmark for 18 karat gold).

    Dimensions: 10 x 52 mm
    Estimated total diamond weight: 0.11 carat

    Condition: light scratches and oxidation

    Weight : 3.75 gr

  • bracelet ancien en orbracelet en or
    1300,00

    Reliquary pearl bracelet in 18 karat (750) rose gold. The bracelet is composed of two rows of cultured pearls linked by a gold cruciform element. In the center of the bracelet, a rectangular gold element holds a lock of hair, protected by a curved glass. The clasp is with a gold stick, which is passed through a ring. Antique reliquary bracelet, late 19th century.

    French owl hallmarks on various parts of the bracelet (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)

    Total length: 19.5 cm

    Dimensions of central element: 24 x 15 mm
    Diameter of beads: 3.4 mm

    Condition: scratches from use

    Weight : 12.53 gr

  • Pendentif porte photo en orhexagonal gold pendant medallion
    600,00

    Hexagonal photo locket pendant in 18 karats gold. This antique locket pendant takes on the shape of a hexagon with a simple, undecorated gold border. The top section, beneath the bale, unscrews to open the pendant, revealing two beveled glasses inside. It can be used to insert a photo or a lock of hair. The pendant contains a miniature depicting a Saint or Saintess adorned with a crown of pink flowers and what appears to be a sword. The flower crown is an attribute of Saint Dorothée or Rosa de Lima, but there’s some uncertainty regarding this iconography. Above the saint’s halo, the word “félicité” (happiness) is discernible. This is an antique pendant from the mid-19th century.

    Owl hallmark

    Dimensions (including bale): 38 mm x 22 mm.

    Condition: Signs of wear, invisible chip on the glass (under the mount). The miniature can be removed.

    Weight: 6.12 gr

    See our antique chains

  • victorian marianne brooch in goldantique enamel marianne brooch
    1300,00

    Antique Victorian Marianne brooch in 18 karat (750) rose gold and silver. Antique brooch decorated with an enamelled portrait Marianne (French symbol) wearing a Phrygian cap topped with a laurel wreath. The portrait is set off by a surround of rose-cut diamonds in a silver setting. Antique brooch, late Victorian period, circa 1880.

    AA hallmark, owl and swan hallmarks (French State hallmarks for 18-karat gold and silver)

    Diameter: 32 mm

    Condition: enamel restoration

    Weight : 18.15 gr

  • antique wedding forget me not ringbague ancienne en or
    450,00

    Forget-me-not turquoise ring in 18 karat rose gold (750), featuring a central design of a blossoming branch set with five turquoise cabochons and a faceted glass. The ring’s band is hollow and holds a braided lock of hair that decorates the entire circumference of the band. This memento ring dates from the second half of the 19th century, specifically the Napoleon III period.

    Hallmark: Owl

    Finger size: 61 EU or 9.5 US (resizable).

    Band width: 4 mm.

    Condition: slight deformation of the band around the hallmark area.

    Weight: 1.88 gr.

     

  • Antique flower locket pendantmédaillon deuil fleur
    1200,00

    Victorian flower locket pendant in rose gold 18 karats (750) and silver. Antique locket pendant with an oval shape decorated with a flower in relief, made of silver and gold, set with fine pearls. The leaves are in green enamel. The pendant opens onto a compartment that can hold a photograph protected by a glass. 19th century memento souvenir pendant.

    Eagle head hallmark

    Dimensions (including the clasp) : 45 mm x 25 mm x 5 mm

    Condition : scratches from use

    Weight : 11.06 gr

    *The antique box and the chain are not sold with the jewel*
    See our antique chains