ABOUT:
This one was in my personal collection for a hot minute before I scolded myself about my summer sourcing trips and not keeping sellable pieces. : )
This is a rare one in that usually we see these gorgeous 1700s era enamel bands with names and dates of the person being remembered. This one instead holds the haunting phrase: "Remember Your 'Freinds' End .M:S:" If only we knew the stories these pieces could tell.
Note the charming misspelling of "Friends", similar to what we often see in poesy rings, as was typical for the time. The period spellings can be consistent with linguistic norms or just be common errors of the Georgian era, these misspellings were not at all uncommon in handcrafted inscriptions on jewelry during this historical period.
This one is a delight to wear, with the striking and legible text in gold inlaid amidst the white enamel, with a sturdy fabrication amazing to find on a 250+ year old piece. While there is some surface wear there is no loss of color to the enamel, remaining white in all the filled areas with no loss deep enough to reach the underlying gold, which allows the text to really pop.
No hallmarks as common and expected but it is crafted in 18k gold with the comfort fit curved inside sliding beautifully on the finger. This one with the curved banner type segments of text add a lovely color and texture to a ring stack, layering beautifully with other pieces.
Certainly a one of a kind piece!
MEASUREMENTS:
Size 6 1/2. 3.3mm north to south by 2.2mm deep / thick. It weighs 4.5 grams.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Surface wear to the white enamel with nicks and scratches but all appearing complete to the eye and perfectly legible. Under magnification the enamel appears almost pebbled in texture due to the wear of over 200 years but none of the loss goes deep enough to remove it to the gold below and to the eye while wearing it still has a crisp white color and a nice sheen. A rare, one of a kind antique mourning ring.
Please also note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).
Many of my listings include group shots – I find the comparisons between pieces help show scale, diamond hues, etc. All items in group shots are inventory, but refer to the website to see what items have sold out and to watch for new listings from the grouping to appear on the home page.
Box#dm.^5@
