Historic New England

Brooch

This gray "lava" (soapstone) brooch is part of a set, with matching earrings (1922.616.2AB). All three pieces feature a scallop shell with dangling spiral shell and two entwined sea creatures on lily pads hanging from gold chains. The brooch closes with a hinged pin and hook on the reverse.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: limestone, gold (metal)

GUSN: 100744

Accession Number: 1922.616.1

Necklace

Opera length coral round bead necklace, strung on wire.

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100745

Accession Number: 1969.3617

Necklace

This double-strand red branch coral necklace closes with a chased rococo gold tongue and groove clasp.

Date: ca. 1840

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material), gold (metal)

GUSN: 100746

Accession Number: 1920.729

Pair of Child's Armlets

Pair of matching double strand red branch coral armlets with tubular hexagonal metal clasps.

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100747

Accession Number: 1934.895ab

Pair of Child's Armlets

Pair of matching coral armlets, four strands of small polished branch coral beads, rectangular gold clasps with engraved scrolls.

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100748

Accession Number: 1932.561ab

Bracelet

Double strand branch coral bracelet, strands connected in two places by round reed beads. Closure is a tongue and pin chased gold clasp set with a carved coral flower.

Date: 1845-1865

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material), gold alloy, carving (processes), chasing

GUSN: 100749

Accession Number: 1930.170

Pair of Child's Armlets

Pair of matching coral bead armlets, three strands of small cylindrical beads, gold stamped and engraved clasp set with coral cameo depicting a child.

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100750

Accession Number: 1933.263AB

Child's Necklace

Coral bead necklace, three strands of small cylindrical beads, gold stamped and engraved clasp set with coral cameo depicting a child.

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100751

Accession Number: 1933.262

Necklace

Single strand of tiny angel coral beads, no clasp.

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100752

Accession Number: 1933.261

Pair of Child's Armlets

Pair of matching coral armlets, four strands of branch coral, rectangular gold clasp engraved with an oval cartouche.

Date: 1840-1860

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100753

Accession Number: 1913.115-.116

Child's Armlet

Branch coral armlet with metal clasp in cardboard box

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100754

Accession Number: 1936.162

Brooch

Polished branch coral brooch, carved at bottom, gold hinged pin and hook. Part of set with 1930.137 ab. In red rectangular silk covered box

Date: 1840-60

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material), corals (animals), gold (metal)

GUSN: 100755

Accession Number: 1930.136

Pair of Earrings

Each earring in this pair is composed of a piece of polished branch coral mounted on a gold pin. The earrings attach with gold wire loops set at the top of coral branch. The earrings form part of a set with brooch 1930.136.

Date: 1840-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material), gold (metal)

GUSN: 100756

Accession Number: 1930.137AB

Brooch

This carved angel coral brooch consists of stylized flowers, naturalistic leaves and a bird in flight. The entire brooch is set on gold wire. The brooch form part of set with earrings 1927.496AB.

Date: ca. 1862

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material), gold (metal)

GUSN: 100757

Accession Number: 1927.495

Pair of Earrings

Carved angel coral earrings, each consist of carved flower, leaves and bird with splayed wings, all set on gold wire. Earrings were converted into pins at a later date. One of the earrings is missing part of a leaf. The earrings are part of a set with brooch 1927.495.

Date: ca. 1862

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material), gold (metal)

GUSN: 100758

Accession Number: 1927.496AB

Brooch

Carved coral brooch with four large flowers set on gold wire, hinged pin and hook on reverse. Stored in cardboard box.

Date: 1840-1865

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100759

Accession Number: 2007.15.222

Plaid Pin or Kilt Pin

Silver three quarter circle plaid pin with engraved star pattern, terminates in two silver balls set with cabochon cut corals, sliding pin set with cabochon cut coral.

Date: 1895-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: silver (metal), coral (material)

GUSN: 100760

Accession Number: 1969.1897

Brooch and Earrings

Demi-parure of red coral jewelry consisting of brooch and earrings, brooch is a stylized flower of cabochon cut coral with drop coral pendant, set on gold wire, hinged pin and hook on reverse, earrings are stylized flowers of cabochon cut coral set on gold wire, gold wire loops with hook fasteners.

Date: 1840-1860

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100761

Accession Number: 1939.144a-c

Brooch and Earrings

Demi-parure consisting of a brooch and earrings, brooch has carved naturalistic coral bell shaped flowers on gold wire, hinged pin and hook, earrings feature carved naturalistic leaf surmount with a chain of two bell shaped flowers on gold s-shaped ear wires.

Date: 1840-1860

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100762

Accession Number: 1939.143a-c

Coral Jewelry, Brooch, Earrings, Buttons, Bar Pins

An assortment of coral jewelry of various periods. Demi-parure consisting of brooch and earrings, 1870-1880: girandole style brooch, stylized flower of cabochon cut coral surmount supporting three pear shaped coral drops (one missing), set on gold wire frame, hinged pin and hook on reverse; girandol...

Date: 1840-1915

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100763

Accession Number: 1936.343a-e

Necklace

Opera length string of graduated hand carved coral beads, spring ring metal clasp.

Date: 1900-1930

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 100764

Accession Number: 1947.176

Pendant

Gold circular pendant with chased floral border, center set with a lock of light brown hair under beveled glass, pendant loop at top.

Date: 1830

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101166

Accession Number: 1944.322

Locket

Circular gold locket, center compartment contains a painting on ivory of a woman holding a dove surrounded by a black enamel border, reverse of locket contains a lock of blonde hair, loop for attachment at top.

Date: 1790-1820

Maker: unknown

Material: gold alloy, enameling, ivory (tooth component), painting (image-making)

GUSN: 101167

Accession Number: 1945.134

Brooch

This gold rectangular brooch with canted corners contains brown hair under beveled glass surrounded by a row of seed pearls. It closes with a hinged pin and hook on the reverse. It could also be converted to a pendant with the attached loop on the reverse.

Date: 1780-1820

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), gold (metal), human hair, pearl (animal material)

GUSN: 101168

Accession Number: 1913.111

Brooch

Gold oval combination brooch and locket with safety chain and pin, center set with braided brown hair under beveled glass, inside locket contains dark brown woven hair under glass, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1866

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101169

Accession Number: 1944.318

Locket

Gold circular locket, inside compartment contains lock of brown hair under glass, hinged loop at top with chased pendant loop.

Date: 1840

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101170

Accession Number: 1944.317

Locket

Gold circular locket, center compartment has beveled glass on both sides and contains a brown, light brown, blonde lock of hair, and small piece of paper.

Date: 1790-1840

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101171

Accession Number: 2007.15.123

Locket

Gold circular locket, beveled glass compartment containing two lockets of blonde hair, hinged loop on top.

Date: 1790-1840

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101172

Accession Number: 1927.1132

Locket

Silver oval locket engraved with flowers, inside compartment holds lock of loose hair, pendant loop at top.

Date: 1850-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: silver (metal)

GUSN: 101173

Accession Number: 1924.230

Watch Fob

Gold charm in the shape of the letter D set with brown tableworked hair.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101174

Accession Number: 1932.82

Necklace

Rolled gold necklace consisting of alternating round and rectangular links, oval locket is engraved with an intertwined monogram "MSC," locket compartment contains a lock of brown hair.

Date: 1900-1910

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101175

Accession Number: 1987.626

Brooch

Gilt metal rectangular brooch with canted corners, center set with brown hair in basket weave pattern and gold script letter T under glass, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1800-1820

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), metal, hair, human hair, braid

GUSN: 101176

Accession Number: 1922.1056

Brooch

This gold, elongated oval brooch is set with a loose swirl of brunette hair under beveled glass. The brooch has a plain gold mount and closes with a hinged pin and hook on the reverse.

Date: 1850

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101177

Accession Number: 1922.216

Brooch

Gold oval brooch, center set with brown woven hair under beveled glass and surrounded by a row of natural pearls, engraving and hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1856

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101178

Accession Number: 1987.628

Brooch

This oval brooch is set with a swirl of blonde and brown hair under beveled glass. It is mounted in a plain gold border and closes with a hinged pin and hook on the reverse.

Date: 1844

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101179

Accession Number: 1921.317

Brooch

Gold oval brooch with black enamel border, center set with an ambrotype portrait of Governor Samuel Wells (1801-1868) of Maine (same picture as 1933.1968 and 1929.515), hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1860-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), gold alloy, enamel (fused coating)

GUSN: 101180

Accession Number: 1929.514

Brooch with miniature portrait of Elizabeth W. Gilbert

This gold rectangular brooch is set with a miniature portrait on ivory of a baby holding a silver coral and bells (1932.225). The child wears a pink dress with a wide neck and short, gathered sleeves. The portrait is set under beveled glass. The back is inscribed with the child's name and the date (...

Date: 1839

Maker: unknown

Material: gold (metal), miniatures (paintings), ivory (tooth component), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 101182

Accession Number: 1932.224

Brooch

Gold oval brooch, center set with brown woven hair under beveled glass surrounded by gold twisted rope border, hinged pin (missing) and hook on reverse.

Date: 1849

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101183

Accession Number: 1944.321

Mourning Ring in Original Case

Marquise shaped gold mounting set with gold intertwined initials "CS" over brown woven hair, engraved on reverse and on band.

Date: 1800

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101184

Accession Number: 1932.515AB

Brooch

Gold octagonal brooch set with enamel, center has oval compartment with a braid of brown hair under beveled glass and surrounded by chased gold border, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1843

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101185

Accession Number: 1936.283

Brooch

This gilt metal and black enamel rectangular brooch features an urn and willow tree at its center. The urn is set with brown hair in a basket-weave pattern under beveled glass. The edges of the brooch and the urn reserve are framed in a gold border chased with floral scrolls. The urn top and base ar...

Date: 1830-1840

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101186

Accession Number: 1920.39

Brooch

Gold and enamel rectangular brooch with rounded corners, center set with blonde hair under beveled glass, hinged pin and hook on reverse.This brooch, most likely made for Lucy Ann (Lane) Norcross, marks the deaths of Otis Norcross Jr (1837-1841) and George L. Norcross (1840-1841). The donor was the ...

Date: 1841

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101187

Accession Number: 1927.303

Brooch

Gold and enamel rectangular brooch, center set with a braid of brown and gray hair and surrounded by a foliate chased border, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1841

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101188

Accession Number: 1969.3599

Brooch

Gilt metal and jet brooch with scroll border, center set with oval cameo of broken column and flower surrounded by a row of seed pearls, reverse is set with a braid of brown hair under glass, hinged pin and hook.

Date: 1840-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: pearl (animal material), gold alloy, enamel (fused coating), glass (material)

GUSN: 101189

Accession Number: 1933.37

Locket

Black vulcanite oval locket, inner compartment contains a lock of brown hair under glass, loop attachment at top.

Date: 1860-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101190

Accession Number: 1933.1708

Locket in Original Case

Onyx and gold oval locket, front features a gold fleur de lis set with four seed pearls, inside compartments hold a ambrotype of Governor Samuel Wells (1801-1868) of Maine (same picture as 1933.1969 and 1929.514) and a lock of white hair under glass, gold pendant loop at top. Fitted leather case wit...

Date: 1860-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101191

Accession Number: 1929.515ab

Brooch

Gold octagonal brooch with faceted edge, center set with brown hair in basket weave pattern, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1864

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, hair, human hair, glass (material), braid

GUSN: 101192

Accession Number: 1928.889

Brooch

Stamped gilt metal brooch with scroll design, center set with woven brown hair under beveled glass and surrounded by a row of pearls, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1840-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), hair, human hair, weaving, metal, pearl (animal material)

GUSN: 101193

Accession Number: 1931.989