Featured What material is this and is it a mourning piece?

Hi!
I’m perplexed. I think this has been molded. From what I am reading it’s not Whitby jet, horn or vulcanite. I was just reading what acorns and oaks on Victorian jewelry symbolize. (Kinda cool).

What say ye?

 

Try this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutta-percha

Debora

 

I agree with @Debora
I think gutta-percha

 

Like this but yours is missing the fastener.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374928924369

Debora

 

There's also this one, which is a belt buckle:



https://www.ebay.com/itm/355078925030

It might explain why the molded piece has those 2 snipped prongs in the other examples.

 

Think you're right. Half a belt buckle.

Debora

 

Another version. Civil War era according to web site. "It is not un-common to find the same decorative front being used on buckles, bracelets and brooches, but it is unclear if these items were ever sold as sets."

http://www.carterandjasper.com/womans3.htm

Debora

 

Agree, as far as what it is made from tap it with a spoon, if it "tinks" it's metal, if it "thuds" it's resin. Then if metal see if it sticks to a magnet for cast iron.

 

The texture looks like it might be the same material used to make some "union cases" for daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, which was a combination of sawdust and shellac, pressed in a mold.

 

Never heard of that! Maybe like Bois Durci?

 

My first piece of gutta-percha Not what I thought it would look and feel like. Definitely a buckle sans the attachment and other half. Now to make something purdy out of it! Thank you for the help

 

As above, don't rule out Union as the material. Here's examples:

https://frenchgardenhouse.com/blog/19th-century-union-cases/

Debora

 

Oh! Ok, I’m reading up on that now. Didn’t realize union was describing the material. Ty!

 

I always thought this was a lovely design, so even though she's not made from a fine material, it's well-crafted art.

 

I think it’s very pretty and it’s stood the test of time