Today, we’re featuring a Jewellery, 19th/20th Century & Ceramics sale for our Auction Alert series. It takes place on  14^th October 2021, 10am, at Lawrences Salerooms in Crewkerne, Somerset.

We’ve chosen to highlight a particular – need we say – niche cross-section of the lots on offer; Georgian mourning jewellery. We’ve also included another non-mourning Georgian jewellery item, just because it’s so beautiful; a green paste pendant with one other.

The Georgian era is a time-frame in British history beginning in 1714 until c. 1830-37. It is so named after the successive Hanoverian Kings George I, George II, George III and George IV. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the relatively short reign of William IV which ended with his death in 1837. It also encompasses the Regency period which was when George IV was Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III.

Georgian mourning jewellery was highly personal and sentimental. Some would consider it morbid and macabre. We have to remember, death and its impact pervaded much of Georgian, and later, Victorian life; It was commemorated in fashion, art and here, jewellery.

Memento mori were full of symbolism. The colours used were often black & white; with materials such as black enamel and jet, pearls and ivory (the former represented tears). There were depictions of sculls, bones and images of (mainly women) mourning the death of a loved one. Many examples contained woven hair of the dearly departed. Mourning jewellery included lockets, pendants, rings and brooches.

A premium of 30% (25% + VAT) will be charged on top of the hammer price on all lots. Any lots purchased online with the-saleroom.com will be subject to an additional 5.94% (4.95% plus VAT) which is applied by the saleroom.com. Any lots purchased online with easyliveAuction.com will be subject to an additional 3.6% (3% plus VAT) or you can opt to pay a flat fee per sale of £3.00 (inc VAT)  per sale which is applied by easyliveAuction.

For a packing fee plus the cost of postage and insurance, and when time permits, we are able to post small items such as jewellery, small items of silver, individual books, smaller ceramics, coins, medals, etc.

Lot 1233: A GEORGE III GOLD AND PEARL SET SWIVEL MEMORIAL RING
Set to one side with a locket compartment containing hair within a surround of half pearls, with a black enamel plague to the other side, inscribed Mark Hodgson, Esq died 12 July 1810 aged 52, the bifurcated shoulders with gold engraved decoration. Size M
Estimate: £200-£400

Lot 1263: A GEORGE II AMETHYST SET MOURNING RING
The amethyst set in gold closed back setting, with black enamel decoration, with inscription for E: L’dy Arundell OB 1751. Size K
Estimate: £250-£300

Lot 1266: A GEORGE II GOLD AND BLACK ENAMEL MOURNING RING
Formed with a gold skull on black enamel and inscribed M. Pyrke OB 22 Dec 1738 AE 76. Size Q
Estimate: £500-£600

Lot 1270: A GEORGE III GOLD AND PEARL SET MOURNING RING
The navette-shaped centre section containing hair, set within an enamel border with inscription for Gabriel Still, Esq., dated 1786, an outer surround of small pearls, in gold. Size O 1/2
Estimate: £300-£400

Lot 1271: A GEORGE III GOLD AND BLACK ENAMEL MOURNING RING
The central section containing hair set within a black enamel border inscribed Eliz Seaman OB 22 July 1799 AE 68, in gold. Size K
Estimate: £250-£300

Lot 1282: A GEORGIAN PASTE SET PENDANT
Mounted with green paste stones in gilt metal, 5cm wide, together with a garnet and gold pendant, 5cm long
Estimate: £100-£150

Lot 1283: A GEORGE II ENAMEL AND GOLD FRIENDSHIP PENDANT
The centre section containing hair, within a scrolling border of white enamel, with inscription Gage d’Amitie (pledge of friendship) to one side, inscribed to the other side Merit Claims Love, 3cm long, together with a gold mourning urn pendant and seven other mourning pendants
Estimate: £500-£600