Rare 15ct Gold Black Enamel Georgian Mourning Ring Dated 1773 – Tree of Life

A rare and highly evocative Georgian mourning ring, dated 16th October 1773, crafted in solid 15ct gold and retaining its original black enamel decoration. The ring features an oval memorial panel set beneath its original glazed cover, displaying a finely executed Tree of Life motif — a powerful and enduring symbol of eternity, renewal, and remembrance in 18th-century mourning jewellery.

Beneath the glass lies delicately arranged hairwork, executed in the refined manner characteristic of high-quality Georgian memorial rings. The composition and symbolism are entirely consistent with mourning jewellery of this period, intended to honour and perpetuate the memory of the deceased.

The interior of the shank is clearly and crisply inscribed:

“Ann Thomas OB: 16 Oct : 1773. AE: 40”

This inscription records both the date of death and the age at death, providing firm historical provenance and placing the ring securely within the Georgian era.

Closely related examples of Tree of Life mourning rings from the same period are held in the collection of the British Museum, underscoring the historical importance, rarity, and collectability of this design.

The ring survives in excellent antique condition, particularly notable given its age of over 250 years. The enamel remains well preserved, the inscription is sharp and legible, and the memorial panel and glazing are intact — qualities seldom found together in mourning rings of this period.

Details

Era: Georgian
Date: 1773 (via inscription)
Metal: Solid 15ct gold
Decoration: Original black enamel
Memorial: Tree of Life hairwork beneath original glazed cover
Inscription: Ann Thomas OB: 16 Oct : 1773. AE: 40
Ring size: UK Q / USA 8.75
Weight: 3.53g
Condition: Excellent antique condition with exceptional preservation for age

Our pre-owned, vintage, or antique pieces may display light wear or minor imperfections consistent with age.
We carefully inspect and prepare each item to ensure it reaches you in the best possible condition.

Please review all photos, as they form part of the item’s description. We aim to capture any flaws, though occasionally one may be overlooked. Colours may appear slightly different due to lighting and screen settings.

If you have any questions before purchasing, feel free to email us at djgjewellery@protonmail.com.

UK Orders
All UK orders are shipped within 24 hours of ordering (monday-friday) via Royal Mail Special Delivery — a fully tracked and insured service that requires a signature upon delivery.

International Orders
Please allow 1–2 business days for processing.

Orders under £350: Sent via Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed, estimated delivery 7–10 days.

Orders over £350: Shipped by door-to-door courier service with delivery in 3–7 days, depending on destination.

You’ll receive a tracking number as soon as your order has been dispatched.
Please note: import duties, VAT, or customs charges may apply depending on your country — these are the responsibility of the customer. For more information, please contact your local customs office.

Returns

We accept returns within 14 days of receiving your order. Once the item is received and inspected, we’ll issue a full refund minus shipping costs.

Returns must be sent via a fully insured, tracked, and signed-for postal service at the customer’s expense.

Items must be returned in their original condition, unaltered, undamaged, and in the original packaging.

For international returns, please mark the parcel clearly as “Returned Goods” to avoid import charges. Any fees incurred by us due to incorrect labelling will be deducted from the refund amount.