A collection of 18th and 19th century mementoes of love and death – “the likes of which we are unlikely to ever see again” according to specialist Eric Knowles – brought a white-glove success at Hansons (20% buyer’s premium).

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | ATG Reporter

Amassed by renowned collector and French porcelain specialist the late Judith Howard, the 211 lots of mourning jewellery, Valentines and other ephemera all got away on September 26 at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire.

With UK and international bidding, including the US, Canada and Germany, the items generally sold above estimates to bring a hammer total of £66,000.

Best of the mourning material was a 18th-19th century gold oval mourning brooch/pendant. It was painted to the front with a lady holding a lamb, beside a boy with shepherd’s crook, sheep and a dog.

The reverse was set with a plait of hair applied with gold initials. Pitched at £300-400, the 2¼in (5.5cm) tall brooch sold at £2100.