Mourning Ring
1860-1861 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
This ring was made to commemorate Hannah Darby who died in 1860. The jewelled letters AEI are from the Greek word for 'Always'. This was a popular addition to love and mourning jewellery. The poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning owned a ring with the same motto, which her husband Robert Browning wore on his watch chain after her untimely death. Rings such as this could be bought from jewellery retailers and the inscription added to personalise them. The London jewellery firm of John Brogden have designs for rings like this, dating from 1860.
This ring was made to commemorate Hannah Darby who died in 1860. The jewelled letters AEI are from the Greek word for 'Always'. This was a popular addition to love and mourning jewellery. The poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning owned a ring with the same motto, which her husband Robert Browning wore on his watch chain after her untimely death. Rings such as this could be bought from jewellery retailers and the inscription added to personalise them. The London jewellery firm of John Brogden have designs for rings like this, dating from 1860.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled and engraved gold |
| Brief description | Gold mourning ring, enamelled in black. The rounded rectangular bezel inscribed AEI in diamond sparks. Inscribed inside Hannah Darby died 20th Decr 1860. Aged 77. with London hallmarks for 1860-1861 and maker's mark 'GI'. |
| Physical description | Gold mourning ring, enamelled in black. The rounded rectangular bezel inscribed AEI in diamond sparks. Inscribed inside Hannah Darby died 20th Decr 1860. Aged 77. with London hallmarks for 1860-61 and Maker's mark 'GI'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | 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. This ring was made to commemorate Hannah Darby who died in 1860. The jewelled letters AEI are from the Greek word for 'Always'. This was a popular addition to love and mourning jewellery. The poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning owned a ring with the same motto, which her husband Robert Browning wore on his watch chain after her untimely death. Rings such as this could be bought from jewellery retailers and the inscription added to personalise them. The London jewellery firm of John Brogden have designs for rings like this, dating from 1860. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.20-1970 |
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| Record created | April 27, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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