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Memento Mori Brooch

Old or Antique Estate Bronze Skull Memento Mori Stick Pin with Glass Eyes
Old or Antique Estate Bronze Skull Memento Mori Stick Pin with Glass Eyes

Old or Antique Estate Bronze Skull Memento Mori Stick Pin with Glass Eyes

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine vintage Memento Mori stick pin. With a figural bronze skull with glass eyes mounted on a

Category

20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

Momento Mori Skull and Bones Brooch in 15 Karat Gold with Enamel and Rose Cut
Momento Mori Skull and Bones Brooch in 15 Karat Gold with Enamel and Rose Cut

Momento Mori Skull and Bones Brooch in 15 Karat Gold with Enamel and Rose Cut

Located in Houston, TX

Antique 15k gold and diamond eyes and natural seed pearl memento mori skull and bones brooch

Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold

Georgian Carved Memento Mori Skull Stick Pin
Georgian Carved Memento Mori Skull Stick Pin

Georgian Carved Memento Mori Skull Stick Pin

Unavailable

H 0.6 in W 0.36 in L 3.47 in

Georgian Carved Memento Mori Skull Stick Pin

Located in Boston, Lincolnshire

A Rare Antique Georgian c.1800s "Memento Mori" skull stick pin. Memento mori from Latin means

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Brooches

Materials

Silver

24K Gold and Black Enamel Memento Mori Brooch Inset Hair Weave
24K Gold and Black Enamel Memento Mori Brooch Inset Hair Weave

24K Gold and Black Enamel Memento Mori Brooch Inset Hair Weave

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Mid 19 century 1840's Inset hair weave Remember me in elaborate calligraphy script 24K gold human hair black oval enamel pin pinback. Rounded back 1.5" long 1.25 wide x .5" depth.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Metal

Antique Victorian Memento Mori Skull Pendant 9 Carat Gold Brooch, circa 1880
Antique Victorian Memento Mori Skull Pendant 9 Carat Gold Brooch, circa 1880

Antique Victorian Memento Mori Skull Pendant 9 Carat Gold Brooch, circa 1880

Located in Lancaster, Lancashire

This wonderful antique Memento Mori Skull and cross bones pendant/ brooch is Victorian, Circa 1880

Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

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Egyptian Revival Pharaoh Diamond Pearl Ruby Enamel Gold Brooch by Carlo Giuliano
Egyptian Revival Pharaoh Diamond Pearl Ruby Enamel Gold Brooch by Carlo Giuliano

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By Carlo Giuliano

Located in London, GB

Highly Important Egyptian Revival Pharaoh Portrait Brooch by Carlo Giuliano recognized to be arguably the most significant 19th century Egyptian Revival jewel. An important Egyptian...

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Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

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Antique 1830 Mourning Ring Gold Enamel Natural Half Pearls Flowers Garnet
Antique 1830 Mourning Ring Gold Enamel Natural Half Pearls Flowers Garnet

Antique 1830 Mourning Ring Gold Enamel Natural Half Pearls Flowers Garnet

Located in Munich, Bavaria

The gold ring is set with ten natural half pearls within a wavy black enamelled surround. Inside the pearl surround the ring is decorated with a garnet that might have replaced a loc...

Category

Antique 1830s English George IV Cluster Rings

Materials

Garnet, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel

Victorian Skull and Bones Pendant made in 14 Karat Rose Gold
Victorian Skull and Bones Pendant made in 14 Karat Rose Gold

Victorian Skull and Bones Pendant made in 14 Karat Rose Gold

Located in Fairfield, CT

Victorian Skull and Bones Pendant made in 14 Karat Rose Gold This Victorian Skull and Bones Pendant, dating back to around 1870, is a bold and captivating piece of history. Crafted ...

Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Georgian Rose Diamond Cluster Ring 1790's
Georgian Rose Diamond Cluster Ring 1790's

Georgian Rose Diamond Cluster Ring 1790's

Located in Firenze, IT

The oval blue enamel plaque with applied old brilliant, single and rose-cut diamond floral and foliate decoration, closed back settings throughout, with engraved bright-cut decoratio...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

Vintage 18K Gold Enamel Fish Pisces Zodiac Charm Pendant
Vintage 18K Gold Enamel Fish Pisces Zodiac Charm Pendant

Vintage 18K Gold Enamel Fish Pisces Zodiac Charm Pendant

Located in Rotterdam, NL

A vintage Italian gold fish charm pendant created with a blue enameled body. The fish is beautifully detailed and created with a great royal blue scaly skin. Designed in 18 karat yel...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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Iconic Archival Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Silk Lace Dress
Iconic Archival Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Silk Lace Dress

Iconic Archival Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Silk Lace Dress

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Berlin, BE

Absolutely iconic Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Spine Lace Dress. Exuding an enigmatic allure that's both cutting-edge and timeless, the Laser Cut Black Leather Lace Dress fro...

Category

2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

Antique Egyptian Revival Faience Scarab & 14K Gold Stick Pin
Antique Egyptian Revival Faience Scarab & 14K Gold Stick Pin

Antique Egyptian Revival Faience Scarab & 14K Gold Stick Pin

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine Egyptian Revival stick pin. In 14k yellow gold. Set with an antique Egyptian faience scarab on a bent wire shaft with a button terminal. Simply a wonderful stick pin! Date...

Category

Early 20th Century Egyptian Revival Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Victorian Tiara with Diamond Star - c.1890
Antique Victorian Tiara with Diamond Star - c.1890

Antique Victorian Tiara with Diamond Star - c.1890

Located in London, GB

We are exceptionally delighted to offer this spectacular Victorian diamond star tiara made c.1890. The tiara will come in a fully fitted presentation case as photographed. Upon pond...

Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Persian Turquoise Spider and Fly Insect Bug Pendant Necklace Antique Victorian
Persian Turquoise Spider and Fly Insect Bug Pendant Necklace Antique Victorian

Persian Turquoise Spider and Fly Insect Bug Pendant Necklace Antique Victorian

Located in New York, NY

This is an absolutely wonderful and rare antique Victorian - Edwardian Spider Web and Fly Pendant set with gorgeous Persian Turquoise and Pearls in beautiful antique gold. The elega...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sterling Skeleton with Hand Hammered Jewels in 20k and 22k Gold
Sterling Skeleton with Hand Hammered Jewels in 20k and 22k Gold

Sterling Skeleton with Hand Hammered Jewels in 20k and 22k Gold

By RIMA JEWELS

Located in New York, NY

RIMA JEWELS hand carved skeleton single earring in sterling silver is composed of 16 moving parts. Collect a serious addition to the memento mori tradition with this astonishing obje...

Category

2010s American Artisan Dangle Earrings

Materials

18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver

Byzantine Architectural Gold Bishop Ring Set With intaglio
Byzantine Architectural Gold Bishop Ring Set With intaglio

Byzantine Architectural Gold Bishop Ring Set With intaglio

Located in Firenze, IT

Date: 8th-9th century AD  Dimensions: 32 x 22 mm, Ring size: 8 ¾ Weight: 5,6 gr L’anello bizantino, databile all’VIII-IX secolo, si distingue per un intaglio in citrino incastonat...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Byzantine Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Museum Quality Antique Georgian Black Enamel Pearl Memorial Ring
Museum Quality Antique Georgian Black Enamel Pearl Memorial Ring

Museum Quality Antique Georgian Black Enamel Pearl Memorial Ring

Located in London, GB

Georgian pearl and black enamel memorial ring. Set to centre with an oblong crystal slice covering plaited hair in a closed back setting, encircled by a row of ten half seed pearls w...

Category

Antique 1820s British Georgian Band Rings

Materials

Pearl, Gold

Georgian Diamond Brooch, circa 1770
Georgian Diamond Brooch, circa 1770

Georgian Diamond Brooch, circa 1770

Located in London, GB

Georgian diamond brooch/pendant. Centrally set with one cushion shape old mine diamond in a closed back cutdown setting with a weight of 1.10 carats, further highlighted by nine roun...

Category

Antique 1770s Unknown Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, Silver

Georgian Gold and Enamel Memorial Skeleton Ring, circa 1731
Georgian Gold and Enamel Memorial Skeleton Ring, circa 1731

Georgian Gold and Enamel Memorial Skeleton Ring, circa 1731

Located in London, GB

Georgian gold and enamel memorial skeleton ring. A solid D-shape gold band featuring an elongated skeleton with stylised skull and cross bones motif on a black enamel background, eng...

Category

Antique 1730s Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Post Medieval memento mori ring, 'in god alone we too are one' circa 18th c
Post Medieval memento mori ring, 'in god alone we too are one' circa 18th c

Post Medieval memento mori ring, 'in god alone we too are one' circa 18th c

Located in London, GB

Post Medieval momento mori ring,'in god alone we too are one'. A rare ring, the exterior of the D-shape band intricately engraved with floral motifs, and a skull with eyes, nose and ...

Category

Antique 17th Century Medieval Band Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Byzantine Gold Icon Ring, circa 6th-10th Century
Byzantine Gold Icon Ring, circa 6th-10th Century

Byzantine Gold Icon Ring, circa 6th-10th Century

Located in London, GB

Byzantine gold icon ring. The central flat circular plaque engraved and with niello, finely depicting the image of Christ with halo between two crosses, all to a slim fully rounded w...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Byzantine Signet Rings

Materials

Gold

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Finding the Right Brooches for You

Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.

While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like GucciVersaceDior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step. 

Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.

At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany & Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.

Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.

Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.

Questions About Memento Mori Brooch
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    Memento mori ring is a ring that is an artistic reminder of the inevitability of death. ‘Memento mori’ is a Latin term that means “remember you must die.” These rings typically either feature a skull, crossbones or skeletons to prompt people to remember the shortness of life. Shop a range of memento mori rings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Memento mori means “remember that you must die” in Latin. A memento mori is an object which serves as either a warning or reminder of death. An example of a memento mori is a skull.