A Victorian mourning signet ring in 18ct yellow gold, London hallmarked 1852, made to commemorate the death of Mary Clifford on the 8th of December 1856, aged 25. The internal engraving — her name, the date of her death, and her age — transforms this from a fine antique ring into a piece of personal history: a life recorded in gold, the grief of those who loved her preserved in the conventions of Victorian mourning jewellery with a care and specificity that is quietly moving.

The exterior of the ring carries a black enamel ribbon inscribed In memory of — the standard formula of Victorian mourning, here rendered with the restrained elegance characteristic of the best work of the period. The head is set with a carved agate in a shield-shaped motif, the shoulders engraved with decorative detail. Concealed within the interior of the band is a locket window containing a lock of hair — the most intimate of Victorian mourning tokens, the physical presence of the person mourned carried always on the finger of the wearer.

London hallmarked 18ct gold, 1852. Ring size T½ (UK); head dimensions 17.5 × 15mm; weight 9.4g.

The Details

• Hallmarks: London 18ct gold, 1852
• Weight: 9.4g
• Head dimensions: 17.5 × 15mm
• Ring size: T½ (UK)
• Head: Carved agate, shield motif
• Exterior: Black enamel ribbon, In memory of
• Interior: Locket window with lock of hair; engraved Mary Clifford 8th Dec 1856 Aged 25