Silver commemorative set referring to the black patriotic jewelry of 1862 (a cross and a pair of rings).
Cross: wooden shaft (ebony) in a metal frame and with a brass figure of Christ, 8 x 4.5 cm
Ring I Men's Signet: sterling silver with onyx, diameter 2 cm
Ring II Women's Signet: Silver with onyx (No legible bullion sample, inside traces of engraving probably the name "IGOR") 1.9 cm
The commemorative set dates back to the first half of the 20th century.
It refers to black patriotic jewelry, which was a form of symbolic political manifesto in 1861-1862. It was worn during the so-called "moral revolution" and national mourning, which engulfed the Polish lands after the bloody demonstrations in Warsaw in February and April 1861. Its function was to express national solidarity, remembrance of the fallen and opposition to Russian repression. This jewelry was made of materials cheap, easily available, as more expensive ornaments were often donated to the insurgents. The most common materials used were oxidized (blackened) iron, lead, black-dyed wood and silver with black enamel. The elements were connected with a string and a tag with an inscription and the date "1862" was added.
State of preservation: very good (missing elements on the crucifix like titulus and skull, nail holes left)
[KP]
