Live Auction 21026Important Americana
THREE AMERICAN GOLD AND ENAMEL MOURNING RINGS
Lot 590 PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF GLORIA MANNEY

THREE AMERICAN GOLD AND ENAMEL MOURNING RINGS

1773-1783

Closed20 January 2023

Price Realised

USD 1,386

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THREE AMERICAN GOLD AND ENAMEL MOURNING RINGS
1773-1783
The first with oval glazed bezel containing a depiction of an urn under a willow, the band engraved JOHN EDWARDS OB 18 SEP 1783 AE 52 and highlighted in black enamel, engraved on the back of the scene with the same, the second with circular glazed bezel containing a of an urn under a willow within a ring of red paste gems, the band engraved SALLY INMAN OB 14 SEP 1773 AE 15 and highlighted in white enamel, the third circular and engraved WM BROWNEJOHN OB 25 JULY 1783 AE 76 and highlighted in black enamel, all apparently unmarked
7/8 in. (2.2 cm.) diameter, the largest

Specialist note

During the eighteenth century mourning rings were given as tokens of the deceased. The estate usually paid for the cost of the rings, and individuals left them to pallbearers, relatives, and clergy. This custom was social rather than religious, and was followed by Jews as well as Christians.

The second ring in the present lot is possibly in memory of Sarah Inman, known as Sally, who was born in Boston in 1758 to Ralph and Susannah Inman, and died 13 September 1773, age 15. The third ring in is possibly in memory of William Brownejohn (1709 - 1783), who worked as a surgeon and chemist in New York.