A unique mourning ring

A Georgian mourning ring, dated 1801, unlike any other. Most Georgian mourning rings depict urns, skulls or skeletons on a sombre black ground; this one however is a riot of colour, a celebration of life. The tapering high carat gold hoop is decorated with bands of white enamel denoting the unmarried status of the deceased, between borders set with sapphire-blue paste. The head is set with a table-cut aquamarine paste within a surround of natural pearls. The ring is inscribed on the obverse with the details of the deceased : Wm. Unsworth Obt. 1st April 1801 at. 35. William Unsworth was from a wealthy Lancashire merchant family. He is interred in the family chapel in Maghull where the family had manorial rights. The ring is size Q [US 8]. It is 2/3 of an inch wide front centre tapering to 1/2 an inch wide at reverse. Never have I seen a mourning ring that so represents a celebration of life. A truly spectacular mourning ring in immaculate condition.

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