Georgian skull mourning ring

A Georgian mourning ring for Thomas Barnes. The high carat scrolled shank is inscribed with the details of the deceased in gold letters reserved on a black enamel ground : Tho : Barnes Ob. 24 Jan 1737/8 AET 59. This is most unusual. I have never seen a mourning ring where the year of death is uncertain. Possibly he died at sea. The central silver compartment is set with a skull device on a weave of hair under faceted rock crystal. The ring is size L [US 5 and 1/2]. Such a curious ring.

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