Two Gold and Enamel Mourning Rings

Two Gold and Enamel Mourning Rings. Those of relatively modest means purchased plain bands, whereas wealthier mourners chose the high style Rococo band with a gem set in the center.  Both styles carry the deceased details on the outer surface. Perhaps surprisingly, these bands could be made quite quickly, and one encounters advertisements for makers of such rings with wording such as "on short notice".  The plain ones mainly date from the mid to the end of the eighteenth century Rococo ones are usually from the 1st half of the eighteenth century.

Photographs and caption material by the owner. Thanks to Anna Waymack who arranged for the owner to share this image and associated text with readers of the Victorian Web. You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.


Last modified 29 September 2011