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

Two gold, enamel and ivory mourning rings

Probably England, dated 1783 and 1787

Both of marquise form and painted en grisaille, the first, depicting female mourner lamenting beside covered and swagged urn on plinth, the black enamel surround inscribed, "ANN. SHIPMAN. OB: 21. DEC: 1783. AET: 4Y 7M"; the second, depicting woman leaning on plinth topped with covered urn and pointing to inscription, "MARY/ CLARK/ OB. 16/ OCT/ 1787/ AE 66," the black enamel surround inscribed, "TO. THE. MEMORY. OF. AN. AFFECTIONATE. MOTHER," both seemingly unmarked.

Ring size(s): 10 & 7 3/4

PROVENANCE:

The Collection of Irvin & Anita Schorsch.
The first: Harvey & Gore, London, England, May 24, 1983.
The second: Maurice Asprey, Ltd. London, England, May 23, 1983.

The late 18th and early 19th century pieces in the Collection demonstrate the influence of Neoclassicism--the Greco-Roman revival popularized after the archaeological finds in Pompeii and Herculaneum during the first half of the 18th century. Classical devices and urns, weeping willow trees, idealized mourners at tombs or obelisks, and winged cherubs ornamenting lockets, pins, bracelets, rings and miniatures kept in cases, come to replace their gruesome, bony predecessors. These Neoclassical images are grief-filled, but more peaceful and idyllic, free of the negativity of reality while also poignant reminders of death and human mortality.