Georgian 18k Amethyst Pearl Mourning Ring

A rare George IV mourning ring, fully hallmarked for the year 1830, 18k gold, and the London assay office; due to the ring never having once been resized, all five hallmarks have been preserved in their crisp original state. A foiled table cut amethyst likely replaced an original hair panel. The back of the ring face bears the inscription: “Archie. 1908”; faint lettering behind this inscription suggest the original 1830 mourning inscription was polished away to make way for the passing of Archie.

By the 1830s, the reserved elegance of the 1800-1820s had given away to a more gorgeous and florid look. This ring, like earlier examples, was made with a collet-set pearl halo. However, unlike those earlier prototypes, it adopts a more fanciful design replete with textured Rococo-revival shells and deeply chased floral shoulders. The pairing of the white pearls with black enamel and deep purple amethyst, all against a ground of rich gold, makes for a visually stunning color palette.