Antique Memento Mori Style Large Eye BROOCH PIN - From the OMARINA Heirloom Collection

60mm x 50mm

Image trapped inside thick domed glass in the Victorian 'Memento Mori' style. This ornate scroll brooch frame and clasp are both in matching 'antique bronze' finished metal.

Hand made by us, here in the OMARINA studio.

Currently FREE UK mainland economy postage!

(If you're in Glasgow and would like to collect in person, just email us immediately after checkout to arrange.)

Images by OMARINA. Shot on location at Lochranza Castle on the Isle of Arran, Scotland.

The OMARINA Lover's Eye Brooch - our lucky in love talisman.

History:
"Lover’s eyes" are some of the most captivating pieces of jewelry from the Georgian period. Believed to have begun with the Prince of Wales in the late 18th century and his secret lover, Mrs. Fitzherbert who exchanged eye miniature portraits rather than full miniatures so they both would have “anonymous” love tokens to cherish. (The bearers being the only one who could identify the sitter!)

This charming custom took hold and the aristocracy and wealthy began exchanging these types of tokens of love and affection. The fashion lasted from the late 1790’s though to about 1825. Most take the form of brooches - like this one. They are also often of women’s eyes which leads one to believe that ultimately they may have been given as tokens of affection for sisters and friends, as these brooches were not worn by men. In fact, very few male eyes are found at all!