Mourning brooch
Category
Jewellery
Date
1838 (circa)
Materials
Glass, hair, gold.
Order this imageCollection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 288897
Summary
A gold garter mourning brooch, circa 1838. It contains a lock of hair under a rock crystal cover in a gold garter frame. The frame bears the dedication 'To Memory Dear' on a textured ground. The reverse is engraved 'George Harpur Ob. 26 June 1838 Ae 7 yrs.'
Full description
The brooch was created in memory of George Crewe (1831-38), son of Sir George Crewe, 8th Baronet (1795-1844) and Jane Whitaker, Lady Crewe (1799-1880). It was recorded in the 1886 inventory of family jewel case as a ‘small circular brooch set with little George H Crewe’s hair who died in 1838’ (Derbyshire Record Office, D2375/H/F/2/27).
Provenance
Brooch, c. 1838. Recorded in the 1886 inventory of family jewel case as a ‘small circular brooch set with little George H Crewe’s hair who died in 1838’. Thence by descent to Henry Harpur-Crewe (1921-91) and transferred with Calke Abbey and its contents to the National Trust by the Treasury in lieu of Capital Transfer Tax in 1985 with an endowment provided by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Marks and inscriptions
George Harpur-Crewe Obt.26th June 1838 At.7 yrs (reverse)