Featured Does anyone know how to read the cypher in a Stuart Crystal?

Bought this one but it has not arrived it, here's the photo provided by the original auctioneer: Usually it's a personal monogram but I actually found a lot of stuart crystals bearing the same monogram? Does it stand for a particular individual, and all the hair included in those piece belong to the said individual?

The hypothesis given by the seller is JCM-James Crofts Monmouth, it somehow makes sense as he is actually a leader of a party, so there's possibility that many of these crystals were made for his supporters... is that so?

 

But, at least, the hair colour matches

 

JCM/JMC, or ...
if you turn it upside down:
https://przekroj.org/en/art-stories/jewels-of-tears-and-loss/

"A mourning brooch from around 1700, made of gold, decorated with an octagonal faceted crystal covering the CWC monogram in gold wire, with the initials SK engraved on the back;"

 

Yes I saw this one too, but none of the seller or auctioneer tried to uncode it. Also different initials at the back, so it's either the mourner & the mourned, or the mourned's initials at the back, while CWC stands for something else? Like IMO in victorian mourning jewels?

 

Could the pin (i.e. pinning on yourself from right to left) from "my" pic indicate if that "CWC" position is indeed the correct way to look at it?

 

Hmmm, a good point! And I agree that many dealers read it as CWC as well. But still no idea what that means within 17th-18th century context

 

and you can actually find a lot of examples of lower grade bearing the monogram of Charles II, but if those also contains his hair wouldn't that make them much more valuable?

 

Based on the decoding of your seller, the brooch should be read as JCW. (and still no idea what that means within 17th-18th century context )

 

Not necessary J though, since in Charles II's monogram one of the C is reversed... but usually, if there's many of them, it should belong to someone with higher status

 

And could the brooch have been something else before?

If so, the center piece may have been turned upside down in the process, and then the pin position wouldn't be a valid clue.

 

Yes, it should be converted from a clasp before, the clasp I bough also have this sturcture. Either way, no clue

 

Here's an example for a Queen - not terribly fancy huh?

 

And V&A does not bother to decode either... must be Devil May Cry!

 

Blimey Shammy-Yer goin' for broke,cool piece !
https://www.antiquesboutique.com/mi...g-bracelet-clasp-monmouth-rebellion-/itm73287
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3649031802...28pSTBk4AiBO5qmeh0SroTe/ol|tkp:Bk9SR4rq1rL3Yw

 

The first one is the one I bought