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.
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Last modified 29 September 2011