Mortality and immortality

A rather special Georgian mourning ring dated 1747. The high carat gold shank is decorated with bone shaped white enamel panels depicting symbols of mortality and immortality. They are : a skull and crossbones device, a gravedigger’s implements, a coffin, a skull, a celestial crown and a winged hourglass [time flies].The central compartment has an enamel skull device under faceted rock crystal. To interior the details of the deceased : Fr Dickinson Arm Obt 17 Nov 1747 at 46 and a maker’s mark MC. The abbreviation arm after his name stands for arminger – in the laws of English heraldry meaning entitled to the possession, use or display of arms, also called coats of arms. The utilisation of white enamel denotes the deceased’s unmarried status at the time of his demise. Francis Dickinson of Whiteshill , Gloucestershire was a member of the landed gentry and a copy of his will accompanies this ring. The will makes provision for his executor ‘to gives rings and mourning to such of my relations and friends as he sees fit.’ The ring is size T [US 9 and 5/8]. Extremely fine quality and immaculate, with its original white enamel in near perfect condition.

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