1972.0061 Mourning Ring
  • 1972.0061 Mourning Ring
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Ring (finger) (Mourning ring)

  • Category:

    Jewelry

  • Place of Origin:

    New England, United States, North America

  • Date:

    1749

  • Materials:

    Gold; Enamel on copper; Gem or rhinestones

  • Museum Object Number:

    1972.0061


  • Complete Details



Object Number

1972.0061

Object Name

Ring (finger) (Mourning ring)

Category

Jewelry

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Mrs. George L. Batchelder

Place of Origin

New England, United States, North America

Date

1749

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Band, exterior; "J. BORLAND/ OB:22 JUNE/ 1749 AE 42"

Subjects

Mourning imagery; Death

Materials

Gold; Enamel on copper; Gem or rhinestones

Dimensions (inches)

0.93 (H) , 0.81 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

2.38 (H) , 2.06 (W)

Object Description

Web - 10/06/2022

Martha Gandy Fales, an early scholar of American jewelry, singled out this amethyst and open scroll work setting as an examplar of the mid-1700s rococo style expressed in mourning rings. The inscription commemorates the death of Jane Lindall Borland in her 42nd year of age. Jane was born in Salem, Massachusetts and in 1726 married Francis Borland (1691-1763), a noted Boston merchant. Left a widower with at least three children, Francis married Phoebe Greaves. Surviving records indicate his second marriage may have taken place in March 1749, prior to Jane's death, but more specific date research is needed.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Fales, Martha Gandy. 1995 Jewelry in America, 1600-1800.
Published: p. 26, plate 8