Victorian Mourning Brooch – Civil War Era Black Gutta Percha Chain Pin (Odd Fellows)

Civil War era Victorian mourning brooch in black gutta percha with a rare chain pin design.

🕯️ One of a kind — only one available.

🕯️ DESCRIPTION:

Some pieces don’t sit quietly in a collection…
they carry something with them.

This antique Victorian mourning brooch, dating to the Civil War era, features a striking buckle design with a delicate chain drop—an enduring symbol of connection and remembrance.

Hand-carved from black gutta percha and accented with glass detailing, it has held its presence for over a century. Pieces like this were not simply worn—they were kept close, often tied to memory, loss, and the rituals of mourning that defined the Victorian era.

🕯️ DETAILS:

• Era: Victorian (mid–late 1800s)  
• Material: Gutta percha with glass accents
• Measurements: 3 1/4” x 1 3/8” x 1/2”
• Closure: Antique “C” clasp
• Condition: Excellent antique condition with expected age-related wear
  

🕯️ HISTORY & ORIGIN:

This piece is believed to be associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization centered on brotherhood, loyalty, and remembrance.

Passed-down accounts suggest it may have been worn in memory of a deceased “brother”—possibly a Union soldier and member of the order—linking it to the deeply personal mourning traditions of the Civil War era.

While exact provenance is not documented, the symbolism and construction are consistent with known pieces of the time.

Historical details are based on available research and tradition; exact provenance is not documented. 

🕯️ SYMBOLISM:

The buckle and chain motif represents an unbroken bond—
a connection that endures beyond loss.

Mourning jewelry of this era often included deeply personal elements, such as woven hair or hidden compartments. It is possible this piece once held such a tribute, now lost to time.

🕯️ CONDITION NOTES:

This piece remains in excellent condition for its age, with minor wear consistent with antique items of this period. The clasp is intact and fully functional.

🕯️ COLLECTOR APPEAL:

Ideal for collectors of:

• Victorian mourning jewelry
• Civil War-era artifacts
• Odd Fellows / fraternal memorabilia
• Antique symbolic or spiritual pieces
  

🕯️ MRS. BONES NOTE:

Some items are simply old.
Others… feel like they’ve been waiting.

Pieces tied to the Civil War era—especially those connected to personal remembrance—are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

During a private reading, this piece was described as carrying a strong connection to remembrance and brotherhood—something that aligns closely with its symbolism and era.

Whether you believe in that or not…
there’s no denying it has presence.

⏳ HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO CLAIM IT... DON'T WAIT TOO LONG.

Once it’s gone, there’s no guarantee another like it will come along.

Pieces tied to the Civil War era are increasingly sought after—especially those connected to personal remembrance.