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Mourning or wedding ring

England

17th/18th century

Gold ring, the circular hoop engraved outside with a skull and flowers and filled in with black enamel; inscribed As god decreed soe wee agreed; marked IA in a rectangle

18.8 mm internal ring diameter; 4.6 g weight

Bought in London

Presented by Dr C.D.E. Fortnum in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897; WA1899.CDEF.F647

From about 1735, the use of black enamel on mourning rings signified that the deceased was married. White enamel was used for the unmarried.