A short history of commemorative objects

Memorial jewelry

It's important not to confuse “mourning jewelry” or memorial jewelry with “memento mori” or heritage jewelry. Memento mori are reminders of the fragility of life, represented by bones, urns or other symbols of death, while heritage jewelry are pieces handed down from generation to generation and kept within the same family.

As early as the Middle Ages, simple silver rings engraved with the names and dates of death of the deceased were worn by family members.

It was in the Victorian era, under the important influence of Queen Victoria, that we saw the apogee of more sophisticated and ornamental mourning jewelry. These are made of metal or black stone and often contain a small amount of ashes, a lock of hair, teeth or a small piece of cloth that belonged to the deceased loved one. Some women even use the hair of the deceased to make delicate lace to incorporate into a pendant or bracelet.

These days, you'll find beautiful jewelry in every color and type, from pendants and bracelets to watches and key rings.

Portraits of the deceased

Our first instinct at the time of death is often to leave a physical trace of the loved one's passing, through illustration, painting, sculpture or photography. Many posthumous Roman and Egyptian portraits, painted on canvas (shroud), wood, stone or mosaic, date back to antiquity. Their purpose was to preserve the essence and memory of the deceased at a time when visual representation was rarer.

Medieval hagiographic iconography is another way of preserving an image of important deceased people, while following the Christian tradition. Non-religious individual portraits, however, are less common.

It was once again the Victorian era, with the arrival of the daguerreotype in 1835, that saw the rise of a very specific type of portrait: post-mortem photography. Members of the deceased's family would stage the remains of their loved one for a final image, allowing a very clear shot to be taken given the absence of movement. These photos often represent the only visual reminder of the deceased, given the unaffordable price of photography for the majority of the population at the time. Post-mortem photography is losing ground with the ascendancy of modern instant photography, which enables more frequent recollections.

In contemporary times, the commemorative bookmark is a derivative of these portraits, made portable and accessible to all.

Candles, lanterns and candleholders

Candlelight is symbolic of the passage to the afterlife in almost every culture and religion. It assists the gentle transition from life to death and guides the soul to the realm of the departed, as much in the Greek empire as the Egyptian. Numerous candlesticks and lanterns have been found in ancient tombs.

In the Western tradition, it is customary to keep a flame burning in cemeteries from dusk throughout the night: the lantern of the dead. The glow evokes God's presence with the dead, as well as being a sign of commemoration, homage and hope (light in the darkness).

Today, a wide range of personalized lanterns and candles bearing the effigy of the deceased are available. These flames are still symbolic of the transition from life to death, and are always lit at funerals or memorial ceremonies. They are kept at home as a reminder of the loved one's life.

Les Espaces Memoria offers a superb collection of modern jewelry and commemorative objects. To take advantage of them, visit our website in the “Our store” section. A variety of memorabilia awaits you to commemorate the lives of your loved ones. We have something for every taste, style and budget. Don't hesitate to visit us to discover them!