Lord Nelson mourning ring

A singular example of a mourning ring for Lord Horatio Nelson, circa 1805, of which I cannot find a parallel example in reference books, past auction catalogues or museum collections. The quality of the ring, the fact it has a singular viscount’s coronet and a lock of hair to reverse could mean that it was made for a Nelson family member. The high carat shank is enamelled fully round in black and surmounted with a red enamel and rose-cut diamond coronet between rose-cut diamond initials N and B. The initials N and B stand for Nelson and Bronte. Admiral Nelson was given the title of Duke of Bronte in 1799 by the King of Sicily and in 1801 became a Viscount. To interior is a lock of hair under crystal and the inscription : Lost to his country 21st Oct. 1805 aged 47. Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (1758–1805) is considered to be the nation’s most eminent naval commander, having establishing Britain’s naval dominance with victories during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. His death at the height of the Battle of Trafalgar ensured that his memory became revered and engendered the cult of Nelson hero worship. This Nelson ring is size M [US 6]. A rare, one-off Nelson mourning ring in pristine condition.

sold

The Immortality of Nelson by Benjamin West