This Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Mourning/Keepsake Locket Brooch is a remarkable and rare find. It is an exquisite example of Aesthetic Movement jewelry and Victorian mourning traditions, combining fine artistry and deep symbolism

This Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Mourning/Keepsake Locket Brooch is a remarkable and rare find. It is an exquisite example of Aesthetic Movement jewelry and Victorian mourning traditions, combining fine artistry, deep symbolism, and emotional significance.

The fan shape of this brooch is an elegant and rare design choice that reflects the strong influence of Japanese aesthetics on Victorian jewelry.

Fans were symbols of ephemeral beauty, elegance, and cultural refinement. In Japanese tradition, they also symbolized good luck, change, and the fleeting nature of life—a fitting motif for a mourning brooch.
The raised and embossed crane bird is crafted in rose gold, creating a stunning bi-metal contrast against the silver.

The rose gold not only enhances the bird’s prominence but also symbolizes love, remembrance, and warmth—a contrast to the coldness of mourning.
The background features finely engraved reeds and bamboo, which adds to the brooch’s naturalistic theme.

The back of the brooch has a circular locket compartment covered with its original glass panel.
This space would have originally been used for:

A lock of hair (a common practice in Victorian mourning jewelry).A miniature portrait or daguerreotype of a lost loved one.A small piece of fabric from a beloved’s clothing.

The crane in flight is a deeply symbolic element in this brooch.

During the Victorian era, jewelry often contained hidden meanings, and the crane carried multiple layers of symbolism:
In Japanese and Chinese culture, cranes are symbols of eternal life, wisdom, and safe passage to the afterlife.
In a mourning brooch, a flying crane could represent the departed soul ascending gracefully to the heavens.
It also reflects hope and transcendence, reassuring the wearer that their loved one has moved on peacefully.

Measurements :The brooch measures 3.9cm x 2.2cm .The locket compartment measures 1.4cm in diameter.The brooch with a weight of 6.4grams.