Victorian Mourning Ring with Braided Hair & Pearls in Gold, c. 1889

In past centuries, death was more present than it is today. Life expectancy was lower and confronting death was as inevitable as it was part of everyday life. Rules and norms of behavior helped to alleviate the pain of the bereaved and at the same time ensured the cohesion of society beyond the death of the individual. Times of mourning were precisely defined, as were the clothes to be worn. Of course, mourning attire also included specially made jewellery, the forms and symbols of which changed over the centuries. In the last third of the 19th century, mourning jewelry was increasingly oriented towards contemporary jewellery fashions: The Victorian lady should also be fashionably dressed and adorned during the mourning period - but with due restraint. This exceptionally well-preserved mourning ring is a special treasure. It was created in 1889 in memory of a deceased mother, as the engraved dedication clearly shows. The trapezoidal ring shoulders feature fine golden leaf ornaments on a black enameled background. The oval ring face holds a braid of human hair in its center under glass, surrounded by a wreath of natural pearls, which are traditionally considered a symbol of shed tears. According to the hallmark on the ring band, the piece of jewellery was made in the workshop of Henry Hyde & Sons in Birmingham. This touching piece finally found its way to us from London.

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