Hamnet-era mourning jewel from celebrated painting rediscovered after 400 years

"The heart-shaped pendant was depicted in Sir Thomas Aston at the Deathbed of His Wife, the 1635 lifesize, mourning masterpiece that was painted predominantly in black and white by the Cheshire artist John Souch."

"Within a golden wreath, it is enamelled in black and white with a death's head skull and inscriptions in Latin on both sides, translated as: Your Robert died 4 May 1634 In whom was our delight, through whom was our consolation, with whom the hope of his parents first perished."

"The pendant had remained with the Aston family until its sale in 1862. The present owners acquired it 30 years ago, long after its significance was lost."

A heart-shaped mourning jewel, depicted in the 1635 painting Sir Thomas Aston at the Deathbed of His Wife by John Souch, has been rediscovered. The pendant commemorates the loss of Sir Thomas's son, Robert, who died at six. The painting captures the grief of Sir Thomas and his wife, Magdalen, who died in childbirth. The jewel features a death's head skull and Latin inscriptions that express the family's profound sorrow. The pendant remained with the Aston family until its sale in 1862 and was acquired by its current owners 30 years ago.

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