Brooch

This brooch was made to commemorate the death of Nathan Mayer Rothschild in 1836. In the 19th century, memorial jewellery was often made after someone had died and given out to close relations at the time of the funeral service and burial. Rothschild was the City of London's leading financier. His banking house was in New Court and his London residence at No. 107 Piccadilly. He had acquired an estate at Gunnesbury Park to the west of London in 1835.

The brooch is made of textured gold set with a circular banded onyx with a black enamelled snake. It is bordered with black enamel. The back carries an inscription 'N M Rothschild Esq Ob. 28 July 1836 Aet 58 HSC'.