Mourning Ring
ca. 1792 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The unusual design of this memorial ring is formed of two black enamel scrolls which commemorate Betty and Henry Savory who died in 1792 and 1798. Memorial rings have been made to commemorate people since the sixteenth century. Money was often left in wills in order for rings to be made for named individuals or to be distributed at the funeral. A general convention holds that white enamel rings were used for children and those who died unmarried and that black was used for those who were married but this convention was not universally observed.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled and engraved gold |
| Brief description | Gold mourning ring for a couple, enamelled in dark blue, white and light blue. Inscribed in Latin 'Betty Savory died 23 February 1792 aged 70' and 'Henry Savory died 30 December 1798 aged 86'. England, about 1792. |
| Physical description | Gold mourning ring, enamelled in dark blue, white and light blue. The hoop inscribed on intertwining ribbons BETTY / SAVORY / OB:23.FEB / 1792.AE. 70and HENRY / SAVORY / OB:30. DEC /1798:AE:86.. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dame Joan Evans |
| Object history | ex Crisp Collection |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The unusual design of this memorial ring is formed of two black enamel scrolls which commemorate Betty and Henry Savory who died in 1792 and 1798. Memorial rings have been made to commemorate people since the sixteenth century. Money was often left in wills in order for rings to be made for named individuals or to be distributed at the funeral. A general convention holds that white enamel rings were used for children and those who died unmarried and that black was used for those who were married but this convention was not universally observed. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.161-1962 |
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| Record created | April 27, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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