Ring
ca. 1804 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
From the early seventeenth to the end of the nineteenth century, testators left money in their wills to have rings with commemorative inscriptions made and distributed to their friends and families. Simple bands enamelled with the name and life dates of the deceased were frequently made, sometimes set with a gemstone or a bezel set with a rock crystal covering a symbol such as a coffin or initials in gold wire. In the later 18th century, rings followed neo-classical designs, their oval bezels often decorated with the same designs as funerary monuments such as urns, broken pillars and mourning figures. Hair from the deceased was incorporated into the designs or set in a compartment at the back of the ring to give each jewel a uniquely personal element. Black or white enamel were favoured though white enamel was often, though not universally used to commemorate children and unmarried adults.
This ring is engraved with the name, age and date of death of Mrs Ann Watts. A section of her hair has been braided and placed underneath her initials. The hair panel is surrounded by glass, imitating more expensive garnets. The black enamel indicate that Mrs Watts was married as white enamel was generally favoured for the very young or unmarried.
This ring is engraved with the name, age and date of death of Mrs Ann Watts. A section of her hair has been braided and placed underneath her initials. The hair panel is surrounded by glass, imitating more expensive garnets. The black enamel indicate that Mrs Watts was married as white enamel was generally favoured for the very young or unmarried.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Enamelled and engraved gold with pastes (glass) and woven hair underglass |
Brief description | Gold mourning ring enamelled in black and white and set with black glass stones. The set with 'AW' in monogram over hair. Inscribed behind Mrs. Ann. Watts./ Ob. 8 May 1804./ Aet: 59., England, ca.1804. |
Physical description | Gold mourning ring enamelled in black and white and set with black glass. The convex oval bezel set with 'AW' in monogram over hair, bordered by imitation garnets. Inscribed behind Mrs. Ann. Watts./ Ob. 8 May 1804./ Aet: 59. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs Margaret Watts |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | From the early seventeenth to the end of the nineteenth century, testators left money in their wills to have rings with commemorative inscriptions made and distributed to their friends and families. Simple bands enamelled with the name and life dates of the deceased were frequently made, sometimes set with a gemstone or a bezel set with a rock crystal covering a symbol such as a coffin or initials in gold wire. In the later 18th century, rings followed neo-classical designs, their oval bezels often decorated with the same designs as funerary monuments such as urns, broken pillars and mourning figures. Hair from the deceased was incorporated into the designs or set in a compartment at the back of the ring to give each jewel a uniquely personal element. Black or white enamel were favoured though white enamel was often, though not universally used to commemorate children and unmarried adults. This ring is engraved with the name, age and date of death of Mrs Ann Watts. A section of her hair has been braided and placed underneath her initials. The hair panel is surrounded by glass, imitating more expensive garnets. The black enamel indicate that Mrs Watts was married as white enamel was generally favoured for the very young or unmarried. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.50-1972 |
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Record created | May 4, 2006 |
Record URL |
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