Memento Mori-Artful Mourning

Memento Mori is a Latin phrase translated as, "Remember you must die," to remind people of their own mortality.

Memento mori jewelry are fascinating objects of artistry and are becoming rarer and rarer. Starting around 1650 after millions succumbed to the black plague (and a high rate of mortality in general), people wore memento mori jewelry as a reminder, "I will be judged in the end," so to live life to the fullest and purely.

There are many mixed connotations associated with Memento Moris, but many pieces truly are a statement of living rather than death.

From my own private collection, a mid-century Victorian memento mori locket with a lock of blonde hair and an hand carved ox bone skull set with cut steel eyes. This locket is clearly a mourning memento mori hence the lock of hair probably from a deceased loved one encapsulated for an eternity inside the locket.

It is black glass combined with what appears to be Pinchbeck. The front is set with an old mine cut paste stone. It measures 1.77" x 1.10". Truly a spectacular piece.

Art Deco Open Back Crystal Watch Fob Chain

Newly listed to Metal Corset II is this stunning Art Deco watch fob chain made up of 50 fully faceted crystal brilliants set in silver over brass metal.

The crystals look to be rock crystals like so many Art Deco open back pieces were made.

Measures 31.5" continuous (or 15.75" doubled) not including swivel clasp.

Each crystal is bezel set, fully faceted to a point and measure approximately 8mm in diameter.

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Revamped Blogspot and Etsy Shops

My apologies to all who endured the 2 day revamping process of both my blogspot and Etsy shops. It was an arduous process, but both are finally up and running. I hope you enjoy the new changes! Let me know what you think..... :-)

Antique Tintype Match Safe

Recent to my collection is this phenomenal match safe. The front has a tintype of a dapper young gentlemen, and the back, a beautiful Art Nouveau lady. Soon to be converted into an assemblage necklace.

Recent Listings To Metal Corset and Metal Corset II

Most recent listings. Some are already there, some will arrive shortly. Check them out!

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Victorian Nun's Cross Rosary

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Here's a rare antique French sterling silver corrugated bead rosary with an antique Victorian engraved sterling silver Nun's cross.

This rosary is stunning right down to the sterling silver spun filigree rosary center.

This Nun's cross is engraved in French, 15 Aout 1855, E.Leleu de Marie Assosiation. (15 August 1855). Also engraved are 2 hearts, one pierced by a sword, the other a cross.

A small enamel Miraculous Mary medal delicately suspends from the rosary.

Antique Sacred Heart Meerschaum Reliquary

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Here's one of the most beautiful and rare carved religious French meerschaum reliquaries I've seen in a long time and now listed at Metal Corset II.

This carved meerschaum reliquary highlights a veiled Mary kneeling in prayer holding a Flaming Heart wrapped in a crown of roses.

It is very rare to find a Flaming Heart held in the hand versus a Flaming Heart on the chest.

Absolutely exquisite period piece behind convex glass. The brass frame is engraved in a paisley floral scroll design and is further accentuated by twisted brass.