1796 Blue Enamel Georgian Mourning Ring

An elegant late 18th c Georgian mourning ring, of a rare and unusual all-blue color palette, the oval face inlaid with the initials “TH” and enameled in light blue within a halo of pearls, the shank inlaid with the inscription “Thoˢ Hayes · OB: June · 1796 · Æ: 57” against a ground of opaque navy blue enamel. The absence of black suggests this ring was intended for third-stage half mourning, during which time non-monochrome shades such as blues and purples could be reintroduced, and gems such as pearls or diamonds—symbolizing tears —could be worn. While the British and Victoria & Albert museums hold an extensive collection of Georgian mourning rings, only a few in opaque blue enamel are preserved. The comparative rarity of such rings could be explained by possibly fewer pieces being made for third stage mourning, and by a general preference for the more fashionable royal blue guilloche enamel and bristol glass. More interesting still is the light periwinkle blue seen on the ring face; this hue was evidently suitable for both mourning and sentimental jewelry. According to Cincinnati Museum curator, Anne Buening, this hue symbolizes sincerity. A 1791 ring in the V&A collection, commemorating the marriage of Frederick, Duke of York and Princess Frederica, is quite similar to the present ring in shape, design, and construction. In the context of mourning, light blue is curiously associated with the passing of girls and women. A dominant proportion of museum and book examples bear inscriptions for women— a periwinkle blue mourning band illustrated in Charles Oman’s “British Rings”, for Charlotte Turner ob. 18 Aug. 1815, (plate 95, ill. A); a mourning pendant in Shirley Bury’s “Jewelry 1789-1910”, for Louisa Bohun ob. 14 Apr. 1816 (page 174, pl. 36); and another mourning band in Verlaine Davies’ “Rings 1800-1910”, for Margaret Miller ob. 14 Mar. 1819 (page 96, fig. 251). While the present ring memorializes a man, there is a possibility it was commissioned to be worn by a female relative.
Scroll Down for Description and Video