19th c Spanish ‘Recuerdo’ Mourning Earrings

A gorgeous and evocative pair of Spanish-made 19th century mourning pendant earrings, of solid 18k gold throughout (body and ear wire), with two dangling medallions decorated with black enamel and etched geometric borders. The lower medallion features a large letter ‘R’ with pave-set seed pearls, raised in high relief, along with a raised cartouche bearing (R)ecuerdo in black enamel letters. In the context of mourning and sentimental jewelry, ‘recuerdo’ (meaning ‘memory’ or ‘remembrance’) forms the Spanish counterpart to French ‘souvenir’ and English ‘In Memory of’ jewelry.