Antique WWI Mourning Jewelry, Engraved May 6, 1918, 16k Pendant w 4 mm Seed Pearls, Enamel

A beautiful pendant, appears to be a mourning cross for a lost loved on who died May 6th, 1918, perhaps a WWI soldier. Of course that was just the time that Spanish Flu was taking lives in enormous numbers, and we can’t know. It is 16k gold, has an outer framing of deep blue enamel, which would have represented the evening sky of dusk, often a color used in mourning pieces. Likewise, the pearls, which not technically seed pearls at 4 mm, were representative of the tears of the mourner left behind. Full measurements noted on photos.

Very good to excellent condition for age and type, you can see in our greatly enlarged photos the surface shows some surface abrasion which doesn’t show to the eye in wear. The pearls are exceptional, well-matched and are half pearls. No cracks or breaks to the pearls. The flaw I can see is a very minuscule chip to enamel in the lower left arm of the cross. Look very closely. It, too, isn’t much visible in wearing, or to the naked eye but must be pointed out. NOTE: I have a tremendous amount of Georgian to Edwardian fine jewelry to work up and list, a lot of it mourning pieces, lockets, earrings and rings. Do watch our site as I get them listed.