Beautiful late Victorian era MIZPAH mourning ring. MIZPAH rings have become extremely collectible in recent years. This one is made of 15k gold with fine hairwork. Fully hallmarked, the ring bears the inscription “H Jennings, Obt Decr 18th 1878.”
The hairwork is intact and runs all the way around the band with gold placards spelling out “M-I-Z-P-A-H”* and one with the initials “HJ,” the beloved's initials. The ring is antique and there is wear throughout, do consult pictures. Weighs approximately 2.4 grams and measures 4.4mm wide and sturdy.
*"Mizpah" is derived from the Hebrew for "watchtower." Referring to a passage from the Bible that may be translated as, "And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another." During the Victorian era, rings with the word "Mizpah" emblazoned on them were often given to a dearest loved one when a long time apart was anticipated. This ring is an exceptional example of such a ring. Here, likely worn in remembrance of a loved one who had passed, with a lock of the departed‘s hair incorporated into the band.
- 15k gold; hallmarked
- U.S. size 6.