Archive Notes

Enamel Cemetery Mourning Plaque
This heart-shaped memorial once marked the resting place of a member of the Bertrand family. Produced in vitreous enamel over steel, plaques like this were fixed to cemetery crosses, grave monuments, or family tombs throughout France, where they were intended to endure years of weather while preserving the memory of the deceased.

The inscription concludes with "De Profundis," the opening words of Psalm 130—"Out of the depths I cry unto thee, O Lord"—one of the Church's traditional prayers for the dead. Its inclusion transforms the plaque from a simple name marker into a quiet devotional object, inviting prayer as much as remembrance.

Today, pieces like this survive through the changing life of historic cemeteries. In France, burial plots are often held under renewable concessions rather than perpetual ownership. When family concessions expire or monuments are restored, removable memorial elements such as enamel plaques are frequently preserved by monument dealers and architectural salvage firms. Objects of this type are commonly dispersed through cemetery renewals, expired family concessions, monument restoration, and architectural salvage, and have been collected and traded within the French antiques market for many decades. Rather than representing forgotten history, they have become tangible records of individual lives and the changing customs of remembrance.

Details

• Origin: France
• Date: 1928
• Material: Vitreous enamel on steel
• Maker's Mark: "Paul St. Florent" along the lower edge
• Features: Three original mounting holes, authentic weathering from prolonged outdoor exposure
• Dimensions: Appx: 9.5 inches tall, 9 inches wide
• Condition: Honest enamel losses, oxidation, rust, edge wear, and surface patina consistent with decades of outdoor use. The inscription remains strong and highly legible. Please review all photographs carefully.