Antique 1818 Mourning Ring | Georgian Pearl Hairwork Ring with Hidden Locket | Black Enamel Memorial Ring | Mourning Jewelry | Hair Keepsake
Description
Step into the echoes of Georgian sentiment with this poignant and evocative mourning ring, dating to 1818.
Crafted with profound delicacy and purpose, this remarkable piece bears all the hallmarks of early 19th-century memorial jewelry: rich black enamel, symbolic pearl accents, and a hidden compartment carrying a treasured lock of hair.
At its heart, four natural pearlssoftly glowing with timeworn lusterare set in a cruciform pattern against a field of deep black enamel. Each pearl symbolizes tears of remembrance, a motif steeped in mourning tradition.
The shank features classically austere lines and ridged shoulders, accentuated by black enamel detailing in high Georgian taste.
Turning the ring over reveals its most intimate secret: a concealed compartment, delicately inset beneath the head, cradling a woven lock of hairpreserved in tender homage to a loved one now lost to time.
Details
Era: Georgian, dated circa 1818
Material: 9ct yellow gold (stamped)
Stones: Four natural pearls
Enamel: Black enamel on the face and shoulders
Special Feature: Hidden locket containing a lock of hair
Ring Size: 7.75
Hallmarks: Full Hallmarks for Chester
Condition: Excellent antique condition with expected age-related wear to enamel and band. The hair compartment is secure and intact.
Symbolism & Significance
Mourning rings were more than jewelrythey were wearable elegies. Often given to close family or friends after a death, these rings helped preserve memory and cope with grief. The use of hair, especially, was deeply symbolicrepresenting eternal connection, even beyond the grave.
For the Collector
An exquisite and soulful addition to any collection of Georgian or mourning jewelry. Whether you are a lover of antique sentiment, a historian of personal relics, or simply drawn to pieces with soul and story, this ring is a rare treasure.
