Rare Mourning Jewel From 17th-Century Painting Rediscovered After 400 Years
Exclusive: Centuries-old pendant depicted in iconic 1635 portrait of Sir Thomas Aston's wife's deathbed has been rediscovered, shedding light on Hamnet-era mourning rituals.
Centuries-old pendant depicted in an iconic 17th-century portrait has been rediscovered after over 400 years, providing a rare glimpse into the mourning rituals of the Hamnet era. The heart-shaped jewel appeared in the 1635 painting "Sir Thomas Aston at the Deathbed of His Wife" by John Souch, a life-size masterpiece of mourning that hangs in the Manchester Art Gallery.
The striking portrait, painted predominantly in black and white, captures the somber moment as Sir Thomas Aston stands at the bedside of his dying wife. The rediscovered pendant, which features prominently in the scene, offers a tangible connection to this poignant historical moment and the funerary customs of the time.
Experts believe the jewel likely held deep symbolic significance for the Aston family, serving as a physical manifestation of their grief and remembrance. Such mourning pendants were commonly worn during the Shakespearean era, when the tragic loss of Hamnet, Shakespeare's only son, resonated deeply with many families.
Source: The Guardian
