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This marquise-shaped ring is set with an ivory oval painted with the letter "H" surrounded by gold foliate swags and bows, all set over woven blonde hair. The shank, shoulders and mount are all plain gold.
mourning rings
rings (jewelry)
glass (material)
gold (metal)
human hair
ivory (tooth component)
mourning rings
Ring
582
Unknown
1 3/8 (W), 13/16 (diameter) (inches)
Gift of Mrs. James H. Beal
1916.225
"Hidden Treasures from Elegant Eras," Historic Jewelry from the Collections of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities presented by Shreve, Crump & Low, September 15 - November 30, 1995.
For more information on hair jewelry see Bell, C. Jeanenne, "Collector's Encyclopedia of Hairwork Jewelry," (1998); Bury, Shirley, "Jewellery, 1789-1910," v. 2 (1991): 680-698; Campbell, Mark, "The Art of Hair Work: Hair Braiding and Jewelry of Sentiment with Catalog of Hair Jewelry," Eds. Jules & Kaethe Kliot (facsimile of 1875 printing, 1996); Dawes, Ginny Reddington & Corinne Davidov, "Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures," (1991): 139-143; Fales, Martha Gandy, "Jewelry in America, 1600-1900," (1995): 98-107, 214-219.
Title Mourning ring Accession Number 1916.223
Title Red leather ring box Accession Number 1916.224
Title 226 - Ring in black case Accession Number 1916.225
Title Ring Accession Number 1916.227
Title Hair chain Accession Number 1916.229
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