Georgian “Memento Mori” Enameled Gold Mourning Ring

This fabulous Georgian ring is one of the oldest, and rarest, items in our store. Hand crafted in London circa 1817, the ring is a classic example of Memento Mori jewelry. Memento Mori pieces were worn by the living in honor of the dead – not as a sad or mournful item- but to remind themselves of their own mortality. This dates to the height of the second Memento Mori period, circa 1800, when a fascination with death and the afterlife were at their peak. Rings like this differ from Victorian Mourning jewelry in that they are less dark/depressing, don’t have a personal item (no lock of hair, here), and were worn with positivity in mind. This one is rich 18k gold and enameled for the person who died “James Hodge Logan, died 2 April 1817 aged 32 years.” What a wearable piece of history! This ring is currently size 10.5 and due to the enameling cannot be sized, and should be worn with care.