Antique Georgian Pink Gold White Black Enamel Child's Mourning Ring 1802 Boxed

An extremely fine antique Georgian 12k pink and yellow gold, white and black enamel, hair and rock crystal child's mourning ring inscribed to John William Jeremy aged 34 months, dated to 1802 and presented in its original red leather and white silk box.

Child's mourning rings are quite rare as adults mostly gave instruction to make their own mourning rings in their wills whereas the parents or a wealthy relative would have had to commission a child's. Another theory is that the sadness of losing a child is harder to bear and remember, so less were made. Although extremely sad, this mourning ring is an important historical reminder that memento mori jewelry was an important part of people's lives 220 years ago. The white enamel and pink gold reflects the innocence of the child, the black enamel represents death and the braided lock of blonde hair is a heart wrenching reminder of a very young life lost.
This exquisite and very fine quality George III mourning ring would have been very expensive to make in 1802 and almost certainly would have been commissioned by a wealthy aristocratic family. The ring has solid 12k pink gold inside and 12k yellow gold outside with a central circular lock of braided blonde hair covered with its original domed rock crystal and framed with white and black enamel. The graduating white enamel band has a black enamel frame with inlaid gold reading 'John Wm Jeremy OB 22 May 1802 Ae 34 Mo 12Ds'. The ring comes in its original fitted red leather box with white silk lined interior. The ring is unmarked and tests for approximately 12k gold.

The ring is approximately a size 9.

The domed rock crystal measures approximately 8mm across. The band is about 13mm high at the front graduating down to approximately 5mm at the back. The ring has a total weight of about 7.0 grams.

The ring is is excellent condition with only extremely light wear. Aside from a tiny area of crackling to the circular enamel at the front the enamel is in perfect condition as is the hair and rock crystal. The box has some age related wear, the hinge is strong and it closes securely on a swinging hook clasp.

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