John Miers: Rare Georgian mourning jewel by Leeds artist to go under hammer
“This is an exceptionally evocative example of Georgian mourning jewellery and a remarkable survival connected to one of the great names in British portraiture”
One of the finest examples of mourning jewellery by one of Leeds greatest artistic talents, is set to go under the hammer.
The Georgian memorial jewel is a remarkable survival connected to one of the greatest names in British portraiture, John Miers, the eminent portraitist and silhouette artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Leeds-born Miers who operated early on in his career from Kirkgate, located ‘opposite the Boot and Shoe’ and later on Lowerhead Row, was a leading figure in late Georgian portraiture, best known for his finely observed profile silhouettes and his wide-ranging clientele across Britain.
He later moved to London where he worked from the Strand. His practice played a significant role in shaping the visual culture of memory and identity in the period, with works that circulated widely among both urban and provincial audiences.
Mourning jewellery such as this occupied an important place in Georgian society, functioning both as a personal commemoration of the deceased and as a wearable expression of grief, memory and social identity. Frequently commissioned or bequeathed through wills, these jewels often incorporated symbolic motifs, inscriptions, initials, dates, and hairwork, resulting in highly personal objects that unite sentiment and craftsmanship.
This particular pendant is especially notable for its fine detail and craftsmanship. Miers cleverly captures an exquisite classical mourning scene. It features a funerary monument and ascending cherubs, alongside aristocratic initials and a viscount’s coronet. Together, these elements point to a commission of considerable social significance.
The pendant combines finely executed enamel work, hairwork and allegorical imagery within a richly symbolic mourning composition. It is accompanied by its original fitted presentation case attributed to “Miers, Profile Painter and Jeweller, No. 111 Strand”, providing a direct and highly desirable link to one of the most influential names in British portrait and silhouette production.
The pendant will be offered in Elmwood’s Fine Jewellery sale on Tuesday, June 9, with an estimate of £4,000 to £6,000 (lot 19)
Joe Kendrick, head of Sale at Elmwood’s auctioneers, said: “This is an exceptionally evocative example of Georgian mourning jewellery and a remarkable survival connected to one of the great names in British portraiture, John Miers. The combination of finely executed hairwork, enamel decoration, aristocratic symbolism, and the original Miers presentation case makes it an object of genuine historical and collecting importance.“
He added: “What is especially compelling is the deeply personal narrative preserved within the piece. It speaks not only to craftsmanship of the highest order, but also to the Georgian desire to preserve memory, grief and family connection through beautifully made objects.”