A very fine hand carved English Whitby Jet brooch dating to the 1870's or 80's and showing the ornate letters IMO for 'In Memory Of'. A mourning piece, the work is of fabulous quality, a feat which is only possible with the Jet found in Whitby and its environs as it is the best quality in the world and can be polished to a glossy shine, here seen contrasted in the openwork letters against the mattified background. Exquisite.
It measures 5cm lengthwise and there is one tiny flea bite imperfection to the front area faceting on the left at 8'o'clock. It fastens with the original 'c' clasp.