We are pleased to offer a selection of four fine, beautiful early 19th century mourning rings — each dating to the 1810s. This was an eventful decade in Britain, marked by the Prince Regent taking over from his father, “mad” King George, Jane Austen’s publication of our beloved “Pride and Prejudice”, and the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

In this decade, mourning rings saw a transition from the slimmer bands in the Neoclassical taste (see examples here and here) to wider, more ornamented bands, such as the ones in this selection.

We acquired these 4 special rings over many years for our own collection. We hope their next custodians will cherish them for their history, beauty, and unique appeal — as we have.

Ring 1 (SOLD): Striped Ouroboros Snake Mourning Ring (1813):

Rare, black enameled tapered band with gold vertical stripes, inset with a lock of braided hair under an oblong panel, bordered by an ouroboros. Inscribed in the interior, “Chas. Todd, Esq. Obt. 18, Decr. 1813. Aet. 48.” Gold is rosy.

Unmarked.

14k gold; 7.2 mm tapering to 3.3 mm wide; 3.4 mm deep; 3.5 grams; US size 6.25 to 6.5 (slightly convex on the inside).

Note that there is a tiny surface chip at the glass panel at one end. In our opinion, this is normal wear and does not detract from desirability of a ring of this age and rarity.

Ring 2: Illusion Border Mourning Ring (1816):

Very rare, black enameled, lettered band, with textured edges that create an optical illusion of the band narrowing and widening in motion. Memorializes “Hy. Austin. Died 10 Apr. 1816. Aged 55.”

Unmarked.

18k gold; 7.5 mm tapering to 7.1 mm wide; 1.8 mm deep; 7.3 grams; US size 7.5 to 7.75 (slightly convex on the inside).

Note that there are two small areas of enamel missing — under the “Au” in “Austin” and under the “g” in “aged”. In our opinion, this is normal wear and does not detract from desirability of a ring of this age and rarity.

Ring 3: Gothic Lettering Mourning Ring (1816)

Raised Gothic lettering reading “In Memory Of” is set against a textured ground, bordered by black enamel bands. Inscribed in the interior: “Mary Benson Obt. 22nd. Dec. 1816. Aet. 96.”

Marked with maker’s mark, duty mark, lion passant used during this era to denote 22k gold, and date letter “a” for 1816.

22k gold; 9.8 mm wide; 1.3 mm deep; 7.2 grams; US size 7.5.

Ring 4: (SOLD) High Relief Foliate and Reeded Mourning Ring (1818)

A high relief central foliate band is edged by bands of black enamel and reeded borders. Inscribed in the interior: “T.B. Coleman A.M. Obt. 3d. Aug. 1818, Aet. 36.”

Unmarked.

14k gold; 9.7 mm wide; 2.1 mm deep; 7.1 grams; US. size 8.

Please note that none of these rings can be resized.

*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present. Notable conditions have been mentioned above.

*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.