We have had our fair share of Victorian mourning wreaths in the past but none quite like this one.

This one is particularly special because it does have some provenance.  While unfortunately, we do not know the family it belonged to, we do know exactly who preserved and framed it…..

This wreath features Calalilies, roses, chrysanthemums, and gladiolus forever preserved in a round walnut shadow box frame.  This service was provided by J.C. Deeth & Co.  An “embalmer of flowers” located on the corner of Congress and Dumbarton Street in Georgetown, Washington D.C.  The flowers appear to have been coated in wax and the greenery handpainted to preserve it’s color.

This shop specialized in embalming and pressing funeral flowers as well as making hair flowers and wreaths.  We are so lucky to have an entire statement from the business still intact on the back of this wreath.  One line reads “Perfect Satisfaction guaranteed and the flowers warranted to last for years, resisting all atmospheric changes and other destructible influences.”

Well Jennie, you certainly did an amazing job!!

We know with 100% certainty this wreath pre-dates 1895 because that is when many streets in Georgetown had their names changed to numerical ones including Congress St changing to 31st St.

However, we also found that the owner of this flower embalming shop passed away in 1884 with no evidence the business was carried on after her death likely making this wreath even earlier.

The history of the making of this wreath sits somewhat close to our hearts since one of us is from the Washington DC area and actually worked just a few blocks away from where this wreath was preserved over 120 years earlier.

We are always so excited to have pieces from women owned businesses during the Victorian era!

LOCAL PICK-UP ONLY

Because of the fragile nature of this item, it is not available to be shipped.