Victorian 9ct Gold Mourning Brooch with Serpent Motif & Hairwork – Seed Pearl Border

A rare and beautifully symbolic Victorian mourning brooch crafted in solid 9ct gold, featuring a striking serpent motif encircling a delicate border of seed pearls. The snake — depicted head to tail — was a powerful 19th-century symbol of eternity, life, and death, making it especially meaningful within mourning jewellery of the period. The textured gold work around the frame adds depth and richness, complementing the soft lustre of the pearls.

At the centre sits a glazed panel containing finely woven hairwork, still clearly visible beneath the original glass — an intimate and deeply personal tribute typical of Victorian memorial pieces. To the reverse, the brooch is inscribed with initials or a name, further enhancing its individuality and historic character. The pin and hinge are consistent with the period, and the piece remains a scarce and highly collectable example of true 19th-century sentimental jewellery.

Details
• Era: Victorian
• Metal: Solid 9ct gold
• Stones: Seed pearl border
• Centre: Glazed woven hairwork panel
• Motif: Serpent (symbol of eternity – head to tail)
• Dimensions: Approx. 21mm × 19mm
• Weight: 4.08g
• Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear consistent with period

Our pre-owned, vintage, or antique pieces may display light wear or minor imperfections consistent with age.
We carefully inspect and prepare each item to ensure it reaches you in the best possible condition.

Please review all photos, as they form part of the item’s description. We aim to capture any flaws, though occasionally one may be overlooked. Colours may appear slightly different due to lighting and screen settings.

If you have any questions before purchasing, feel free to email us at djgjewellery@protonmail.com.

UK Orders
All UK orders are shipped within 24 hours of ordering (monday-friday) via Royal Mail Special Delivery — a fully tracked and insured service that requires a signature upon delivery.

International Orders
Please allow 1–2 business days for processing.

Orders under £350: Sent via Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed, estimated delivery 7–10 days.

Orders over £350: Shipped by door-to-door courier service with delivery in 3–7 days, depending on destination.

You’ll receive a tracking number as soon as your order has been dispatched.
Please note: import duties, VAT, or customs charges may apply depending on your country — these are the responsibility of the customer. For more information, please contact your local customs office.

Returns

We accept returns within 14 days of receiving your order. Once the item is received and inspected, we’ll issue a full refund minus shipping costs.

Returns must be sent via a fully insured, tracked, and signed-for postal service at the customer’s expense.

Items must be returned in their original condition, unaltered, undamaged, and in the original packaging.

For international returns, please mark the parcel clearly as “Returned Goods” to avoid import charges. Any fees incurred by us due to incorrect labelling will be deducted from the refund amount.