Two gold, enamel and ivory mourning rings England or...

Two gold, enamel and ivory mourning rings

England or America, second half 18th century

Both of oval form, the first, depicting female figure mourning beside urn, the plinth inscribed, "Elliot/ obt 4/ ...n 1798/ 78," the scrolling band with inscription, "AE: 10 ANN ELLIOTT OB: 21 MAY 1766," against black enamel ground, further inscribed to reverse, "JE/ Obt/ Decr 25./ 1820" and along inner band, "T.E S.E Lost Oct: 1780," seemingly unmarked; the second, with monogram, "T?H", the scrolling band inscribed, "THO: HELMAN OB: 17 FEB: 1778 AE: 54," against black enamel ground, further inscribed along inner band, "Mary Helman ob 24 Apr 1778 Ae 56," seemingly unmarked.

Ring size(s): 12 and 10

PROVENANCE:

The Collection of Irvin & Anita Schorsch.
The first: Pook & Pook, Inc., Downingtown, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1996. The second: Acquired in 1988.