Mourning Fashion in White

British School, Portrait of a Woman c.1635. Oil on canvas

The affectation of white in mourning is ubiquitous, and appears throughout the world in funerary and mourning customs. White, the predominant colour used to symbolize the loss of children and the unmarried, was used in mourning fashion for young children, as well as accessories for women. Stages of mourning are important in the re-introduction of… Continue reading Mourning Fashion in White

George V Memorial Card

Though of different shapes and sizes through the 19th Century, memorial cards, as the 20th Century evolved, cards became smaller (often more cost effective and easier for postage) as well more formal. The use of symbolism in flowers and various artwork flourishes were becoming more standardised in funeral cards and many of the same designs… Continue reading George V Memorial Card

Queen Victoria Funeral Programme

Continuing on our little discovery of ephemera and funeralia, let’s focus on another wonderful piece from Queen Victoria’s passing… For the funeral itself, this funeral programme is one of the most literal pieces of mourning paraphernalia. It shows the procession of the funeral along with a timeline of her life and achievements. Note the black… Continue reading Queen Victoria Funeral Programme