The wheat motif is a Christian symbol used in Victorian memorial jewelry to represent the divine harvest. The mature cut wheat is a metaphor for the end of life and also for the resurrection. The wheat theme is touched on many times in the Bible, but the idea is made most clear here: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produced much grain" (John 12:24). This incredible navette-shaped Georgian mourning locket is made in silver with a frame of rose cut diamonds and flat cut emeralds. The glass-fronted locket holds a lock of hair beneath a silver and diamond sheaf of wheat bound together with a bow. The reverse side is engraved "Carne [Caroline] Cumming died at Paris 11 Augt [August] 1822."