1 ring : gold, glass, ivory, gold wire, and hair ; face 21 x 17mm, band 20 mm in depth
Collection:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Gift of Susan M. Yecies, Yale BA 1971
Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Classification:
Three-Dimensional Artifacts
Notes:
Memento mori ring, originally fabricated as a ribbon slide to commemorate the death of "F.E." in 1689. The slide was converted to a ring in the 20th century. The base of the slide and the band are in gold, the front face covered with glass. The image on the face of the ring depicts a full human skeleton (made of ivory), holding a scythe in its right hand and an hour-glass in its left. The skeleton is flanked by the gold wire initials "F.E." against a background of very fair plaited hair. The reverse of the face is inscribed: "obt. 28 Nov. 89."
Subject Terms:
Mourning jewelry -- Great Britain. | Mourning customs -- Great Britain. | Death -- Great Britain. | Skeletons.