A warm and smooth oval ring, this piece is like a hug for your finger. There's something about a signet ring worn smooth like this that always tugs on our heart strings: the love that a previous caretaker had for this ring is evident in its wear, in the way that day to day life has left a beautiful smooth patina and just a suggestion of the letters that were once so carefully engraved. Tucked sweetly under the face and pressed snug against your skin is a hand engraved note, "In Memoriam." While mourning jewelry goes back to at least the middle ages, it was further popularized (like so many things) by Queen Victoria, who, upon Prince Albert's death in 1861, committed to a deep and public grief for the forty years she outlived him. Victorian motifs in mourning included materials such as hair (woven or painted in sepia), enamel (often black or white), and seed pearls (to represent tears), and symbolism including willows, crosses, ouroboros, and urns. Though none of these are present here, the personalization makes a subtle tribute to someone deeply loved and sadly lost.

Good antique condition with wear in line with age and use, including multiple sizing seams and wear to engraved face. c1907. Originally manufactured in the UK.

Details:
• 9k yellow gold, with full British hallmarks for Chester, 1907, maker's mark JH
• Approximately size 9.75 (out of round), can be resized within two sizes
• Face of ring measures 14.1mm wide, 12mm across, with a rise of 1.5mm; back of band measures 3.8mm wide and 0.7mm thick
• 5.7g
• Face of ring is engraved with entwined letters that are partially obscured by wear, but appear to be LFC (or LCF, CLF, CFL, FLC, FCL)