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Victorian 18ct Gold, Black Enamel & Diamond Mourning Ring

502T
480 Admirers Rare Find
Written by Olly Gerrish

A very interesting 18ct gold mourning ring that commemorated the life of Garden Duff  who died on the 15th march 1858.

Garden William Duff, 8th of Hatton, was born on 29 October 1779 in Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  His parents were John Duff and Helen Duff.

Garden Duff married Louisa Dunbar, the daughter of Sir Benjamin Dunbar of Hempriggs, 3rd Bt. on 17th September 1805.  In August 1818 Garden inherited the Hatton Estates from his brother Andrew. For the past 18 years, due to Andrew’s mental incapacity, Garden had been managing the estate, but he now was the Laird. Garden was to remain Laird of Hatton for nearly forty years. He improved the property, rebuilt Hatton Lodge, formerly Balquholly, and renamed it Hatton Castle. He was a Major in the Banff, Moray and Nairn Light Infantry Militia.

He died in 1858, aged 80, from the effects of a fall from from his chair in the dining room.  The Inverness Courier of 1 April 1858 reported that he ‘had been in his usual health up till a short time ago, when he met with an accident, by which he sustained a fracture of the thigh. At his age, the injury could not be other than serious, and he never recovered its effect, but sank gradually, till Monday the 15th ult., when he expired.’ 

It is always fascinating to know the history of these mourning rings and this example is in great condition. The centre is shield shaped and has been set with an old mine cut diamond in the centre with a black enamel surround and graduated rose diamonds.  There are also graduated rose diamonds set in to the shoulders within a black enamel ribbon surround. Underneath there was originally a glazed locket compartment but only the surround remains.

Ollys Pick

This mourning ring is gorgeous!

£2,650or from £221/month at 0% More info

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  • Victorian 18ct Gold, Black Enamel & Diamond Mourning Ring

    Compliment with our premium AJC box, handmade in England
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Item Number
502T
Current Ring Size
UK L ½ Eligible for Free Resizing
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Measurements
Top 1.23cm by 1.1cm
Diamond approx weight 0.15 carats
Rose diamonds approx total weight 0.27 carats.
Materials
Date & Origin
Provenance
English
Hallmarks

Assayed in 1855
Maker's mark SO

  • London
  • Gold
  • 18ct gold
Condition
Very Good, glazed part of locket underneath missing.
Care Tips
  • Avoid chipping enamel
  • Check delicate settings regularly
  • Take special care of historical jewellery
Discovered
2 years ago

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UK - Arriving tomorrow, Wednesday 9th October
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Victorian 18ct Gold, Black Enamel & Diamond Mourning Ring

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