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- (SOLD) Rare Early 18th Century Mourning Ring with Death's Head/Skull
(SOLD) Rare Early 18th Century Mourning Ring with Death's Head/Skull
(SOLD) Rare Early 18th Century Mourning Ring with Death's Head/Skull
For the collector.
By the early 18th century, the commissioning and gifting of mourning rings to commemorate the deceased had become a widespread practice among those with means. Mourning rings of this era often incorporated the skull motif (descended from earlier memento mori jewels) and at times shared design elements with the “posy” rings of the same period.
For similar examples of mourning/posy rings in the collection of the British Museum, see:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1304
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1545
Our mourning ring dates from 1707 and memorializes “J Price” who died at the venerable age of 78. This band of gold is a direct link to a person born circa 1629, a witness to the turbulence of 17th century Britain — think the English Civil Wars, Oliver Cromwell, the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, and the Great Fire of London.
Our ring came to us from an early jewelry antiquarian in London, and is a release from our own collection. We hope this special ring will find loving care in the hands of its next custodian.
Marked with marker’s mark (initials) and inscription for “J Price obt April 1707 aet 78.”
● 22k gold
● 3.7 mm wide x 1 mm deep on the band
● 2.6 grams
● US size 6 (not resizable)
Period: Stuart
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age commensurate wear may be present. May once have been enameled (traces present).
For the collector.
By the early 18th century, the commissioning and gifting of mourning rings to commemorate the deceased had become a widespread practice among those with means. Mourning rings of this era often incorporated the skull motif (descended from earlier memento mori jewels) and at times shared design elements with the “posy” rings of the same period.
For similar examples of mourning/posy rings in the collection of the British Museum, see:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1304
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1545
Our mourning ring dates from 1707 and memorializes “J Price” who died at the venerable age of 78. This band of gold is a direct link to a person born circa 1629, a witness to the turbulence of 17th century Britain — think the English Civil Wars, Oliver Cromwell, the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, and the Great Fire of London.
Our ring came to us from an early jewelry antiquarian in London, and is a release from our own collection. We hope this special ring will find loving care in the hands of its next custodian.
Marked with marker’s mark (initials) and inscription for “J Price obt April 1707 aet 78.”
● 22k gold
● 3.7 mm wide x 1 mm deep on the band
● 2.6 grams
● US size 6 (not resizable)
Period: Stuart
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age commensurate wear may be present. May once have been enameled (traces present).
