Urns surrounded by willow trees were popular gravestone symbols in New England burial grounds between the mid 1700s to mid 1800s. These icons show a more sentimental and softer view of death than the stark, blunt memento mori icons of days past. While the willow has many meanings, the most common associated with this usage are grief and immortality. The urn, a funerary container, symbolizes death itself.
The stone I chose for this pendant is a gorgeous slate grey picasso jasper with black streaks. It reminds me of weathered old gravestones that have survived the elements and stood the rest of time- it seemed like the natural choice for this design. The backside features a hand-drawn and etched scene based on a gravestone found in Boston cemetery. All of the silver has been oxidized, a process which creates the blackened or antiqued appearance on silver. The raised points have been polished to shine, while the low points retain the oxidized color to show off the depth and details. The pendant measures 1.5" tall and 1" wide at the widest point. All metal used in this piece is sterling silver.
Want to add a sterling silver chain? If in stock, you can find those options here:
Cable Chain and Forged Link Chain
This item is already made, and will be shipped 3-5 business days after the payment is processed. Shipping options will be available to choose upon check-out.
This piece will include the special collection packaging and extras for the Dearly Beloved II Collection.
A few notes on caring for oxidized sterling silver: oxidized patina on sterling silver isn't particularly durable to long-term exposure to water (like bathing or swimming) or a lot of scrubbing, as friction is the way to polish silver to shine. Constant exposure to tasks such as hand washing, bathing, swimming, washing dishes, etc., will slowly wear away the oxidized patina leaving a shiny silver finish.
Please contact me with any questions!