Victorian Carved Jet IMO Mourning Pendant

A sweet Victorian mourning fob originally meant to decorate the end of a watch chain, featuring the monogram IMO hand-carved in jet, representing the phrase "In Memory of", an epitaph popular for mourning pieces made in the last half of the 19th century. 

Details: Measuring approximately 3/4" long, by 5/8" wide. Hung from a contemporay 20" yellow gold-filled cable chain.

Condition: In excellent antique condition with a couple of light nibbles but no obvious or distracting chips or cracks. 

History: Jet is essentially a type of fossilized wood, like coal, and has been used in jewelry since the Neolithic period; it became especially popular in the 19th century for mourning jewelry due to it's inky color, light weight and the ease with which it can be carved.