Description
This sweet Victorian-era English mourning ring features a raised oval plaque top with black enamel set with seed pearls in a ‘forget-me-not’ floral and leaf formation. The ring has intricate enamel shoulders in a foliate scroll. It has an engraving on the inside of the base: “August 27, 1884”. On the outside of the base a faded name and “Died 79”, possibly the date of another deceased—Roman numerals on the bridge.
Although mourning jewelry dates back to the 1600s, it gained further popularity when Queen Victoria mourned the death of her husband, Prince Albert. These poignant pieces were crafted to honor and remember loved ones who had passed away. Often featuring dark materials like jet, onyx, or black enamel, mourning jewelry from this era includes intricate designs and symbols of remembrance, such as weeping willows, urns, and locks of hair. Each piece tells a deeply personal story, reflecting the Victorian era’s fascination with mourning rituals and sentimentality. The forget-me-not was a central motif in 19th-century jewelry design when flower languages were popular for their ability to convey unspoken symbols and messages. The forget-me-not was used as a decoration to denote a message of love and remembrance.
Seed pearls are named for their size and shape, being very small; usually less than 2 millimeters in diameter, and off-round in shape. Historically they were used as a decorative border, as tiny accents in small patterns, or in larger clusters used to make up an entire piece of jewelry. Glistening like drops of morning dew, these gems add femininity and refinement to the jewelry they adorn. Seed pearls reached the height of their popularity in the Victorian Era, viewed as a sign of purity by society at the time.
This gorgeous piece is a historical vessel, telling a rich story about love and loss. It would be a wonderful addition to any Victorian jewelry lover’s collection.
The inside of the shank has an inscription reading ‘August 27, 1884’. The inscription appears to have removed the other hallmarks except for the purity mark “CT” for the carat used in Great Britain. The acid test confirms it is 22K gold. The outside of the shank bears another inscription, ‘F. HEF Died 79’, suggesting that the ring honors two loved ones. However, enlarging is not recommended due to the gold content and prior engravings on the shank.
There is age-related wear, particularly on the enamel shoulders. The head of the ring is in good condition for age, with no seed pearls missing.
Measurements: Weight is 2.79 grams. US size 5.25
