RARE - 18k Gold & White-Enamel Georgian Memento Mori Mourning Ring 1787

From a remarkable private collection comes this exceptional Georgian memento mori mourning ring, delicately crafted in 18k yellow gold and adorned with symbolic white enamel. The ring is inscribed “MARTHA.WILLIS.OB:2 NOV.1787,” commemorating the passing of Martha Willis on November 2, 1787—a testament both to the artistry and emotional resonance of 18th-century memorial jewelry.

White enamel was reserved for the young or unmarried, marking innocence and purity lost, and was a powerful motif throughout the Georgian period. The fitted, marked box underscores its bespoke provenance and careful preservation. Mourning rings of this caliber were bespoke, precious mementos given to families and close friends, linking them to a vibrant tradition of love, remembrance, and artistry.

Material: 18k yellow gold, white enamel
Dimensions: 3.6 mm 
Weight: 4.4 grams
Ring Size: 5.5 (inquire about sizing)
Marking: “MARTHA.WILLIS.OB:2 NOV.1787"
Period: Georgian (1787)

This museum-worthy piece is a glimpse into the emotional heart of Georgian-era mourning customs. Rare white enamel rings with direct in-memoriam inscriptions such as this are highly sought by collectors and scholars for their beauty, symbolism, and historical resonance.