A fabulous C1791 George III gold Mourning ring with provenance

Elizabeth Bowland married Willaim Moffat in about 1766.  William was a banker, merchant and owner of several ships that sailed to India and China, under the auspices of the East India Company.  William and Elizabeth lived in Bloomsbury, and had three children:  Elizabeth Moffatt (1771-1779), William Moffat, Jnr (1774-1851) and Margaret Thorold Moffat ( 1775-1794).  After Elizabeth’s death on the 13th January, 1791, William married Elizabeth Harrington (1771-1843).  In 1799 Willaim bought a country estate, “Painshill”, in Surrey.  (House is demolished, but the famous 18th century park by Hamilton is open to the public).  William was a Member of Parliament from 1802-1806.

There would have been identical rings for each of the three children.  They would have been financed by bequest of Elizabeth or paid by William.  The ring contains woven hair from Elizabeth, under a crystal slide.  The oval border says “To the memory of my beloved mother.” Black enamel is used in the border.  (White or blue was used for mourning children.). The ring is 9ct gold, with the interior inscription, “Elizabeth Moffat 13 June 1791 aged 53” The ring size is K and weighs 5.3 grams