Antique Victorian Vulcanite Mourning retailer Brooch Pin Buckle Design

Unusual mourning brooch pin made from vulcanite. It is dark brown. The best I can interpret is that this is a highly stylized buckle design. The brooch is made in three parts. The plaque shaped background, the "prong of the buckle which is attached to the back with metal and the circle which I think is supposed to be a big "notch" on the belt. These last two pieces have small black glass tops and are the tops to the metal pins that hold the pieces together. There is wear and discoloration commensurate with the age of the piece. The pieces are slightly loose. this closes with a brass c-clasp.

In doing research I found this relating to Victorian Buckle jewelry from the website Victorian Trading Co.~" Perhaps a more subtle mourning custom was the wearing of buckle jewelry. By its very form, the buckled belt suggests the never-ending circle of eternity. For the Victorians, it retailer embodied a sentiment of enduring love and loyalty that transcended the grave. It was a gesture of devotion that adorned bracelets, rings, brooches, and lockets, many of which were personalized with a concealed lock of hair or an engraving of the deceased's initials and death date."

Interesting and lovely sentiment . This pin was probably worn as a symbol of devotion to someone.

What we like about this piece: It is different!