Lot 234
A collection of sixty-three Georgian and William IV gold and enamel mourning rings.
Description
Condition Report
A collection of sixty-three Georgian and William IV gold and enamel mourning rings, one with skeleton motif.
Estimated total weight 304.3gms.
With fitted case and non-exhaustive old inventory list.
This collection of sixty-three mourning rings, that memorialise the deaths of fifty distinct individuals, provide a record of a number of families, friends and business partners who include key contributors to the Anglican-Orthodoxy movement of the late eighteenth and nineteenth century in the Church of England. The role of Henry Handley NORRIS (1771-1850) and John WATSON (1767-1869) as clergyman in the parish of Hackney, together with John’s brother Joshua WATSON (1771-1855) a merchant, place them at the centre of the Hackney Phalanx and more widely the Oxford Movement. That in particular Joshua WATSON’s links and partnership in banking in the City of London drew in yet a wider field of supporters, explains the extent of the collection of rings. Inevitably such a group resulted in many connections by marriage, and we have mourning rings associated with the families: SIKES, POWELL, SAWBRIDGE, LORANCE, SNAITH, BARNSTON, BRYMER, SHIRLEY, PAICE, HOOKHAM, KERR, WISHAW, BURROW, CURTEIS, WILLIAMS, RAVENHILL, COLLING, LITTLEDALE, SCULLARD, PICKLES. The pedigree of these family links is very extensive.
The giving and wearing of mourning rings occurred widely in the period to the late nineteenth century. Many testator providing funds in their wills to important benefactors for the purchase of a ring to be worn during the period of mourning. Such a benefaction was an honour and would have been received with pride and the rings would have been worn with great respect. We note that many of the named persons that occur in this collection left wills that gained probate at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, and their wills contain details of these bequests.
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Purchasing information- Overall condition good.
- One with wear to the floral embossed sides.
- Several with noticeable chips/losses to the enamel.
- Two bands with dents, slightly out of round.
- Varied ring sizes.
- One black enamel ring with skeleton, inscribed date 1734.
- One ring with traces of enamel remaining and motto 'Je ne change qu'en mourant' (translation - I do not change that by dying) with Skull and Crossbones.
- The majority of the rings test as approximately 22ct, 20ct or 18ct gold, one (with hair to band) tests as 9ct gold, two test as approximately 15ct gold (possibly due to disruption from the enamel).
- Fellows uses a Thermo Scientific Nitron Handheld XRF Analyser to test metals. This technology is limited to examining metal to a depth of approximately 8 microns.
- Fellows does not guarantee the standard of gold or platinum unless an item is hallmarked. Results from electronically tested items should only be used as a guide and with caution, as false readings are possible.
- By repute the box was created at a family members request in the 1960s. Two of the rings do not have spaces within the fitted case.
- Free virtual viewings are available by appointment. Please email hello@fellows.co.uk for more information and to book an appointment.
- Condition reports are offered as a guide only and we highly recommend inspecting any lot to satisfy yourself as to its condition.
- For any further questions you may have on this lot, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Randall at ben@fellows.co.uk
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