Antique jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras
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Georgian enamel mourning ring with historical provenance

Reference #: 8986

Status: sold

Dimensions: finger size is an 8.25; top is approx. 6/8 inch or 2 cm in diameter

Condition: excellent, minor enamel wear appropriate with age

Year: inscribed 1795

Price: $1895 sold

Description: A superb ring commemorating the death of an important member of the British nobility.
The enamelled ring is rose gold (9kt. or higher). "Sacred to Friendship" is written in gold around the center crowned monogram.

Inscription reads, "Right Honorable George, Earl of Mt. Edgcumbe, died 4 Feb. 1795, aged 74". 
Earl of Mount Edgcumbe is a title that was created in 1789 for George Edgcumbe, 3rd Baron Edgcumbe.  This family descended from Sir Piers Edgcumbe, who acquired the Mount Edgcumbe estate, which is near Plymouth, in the early 16th century. 
George Edgcumbe, the Earl who's passing this ring commemorates, was born in 1721.  In 1761, he married Emma Gilbert, daughter of the Archbishop of York.  In 1747,  he was elected a Member of Parliament.  In 1781, after a glorious Naval career, he was made Viscount Mount Edgcumbe in gratitude for his "voluntary and gratuitous service of the plantations at Mount Edgcumbe, military men having declared it absolutely necessary for the safety and defence of Plymouth in case of any hostile attack."   Now his Lordship, he was elevated to Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in 1789 and died in February 1795.