Details: This is a truly spectacular, custom made, Etruscan-revival mourning ring featuring a banded agate with a finely carved Hippocampus intaglio in a tiered bezel. Hippocampus are mythological creatures with a horse head and a fish or sea creature tail, known to be strong and able to surmount land or sea.  The band across the center of the stone is quite striking and the ring has a lovely, heavy weight. The interior of the ring has a personalized engraving which reads, "In Memory of Harriet Lewis died 3rd December 1880, aged 76."

Hippocampus have been depicted throughout Egyptian, Greek and Roman mythology. The mighty Greek god, Poseiden (in Roman mythology, Neptune) is often depicted as driving a sea chariot drawn by hippocampi. In some traditions, the hippocampus is also said to be the symbol of love as its parents, the horse and the fish, are natural opposites.

Mourning and memorial jewelry was popular during the Georgian and Victorian eras. Jewelry was commissioned by the wealthy aristocracy to remember their lost loved ones and to focus on remembrance, grief, comfort and consolation. 

Measurements: The ring size is 9.5. The intaglio in its frame measures 3/4" tall by 1/2" wide, and the band is 5/8" wide. The weight is 15.7g.

Origin: English, c. 1880.

Notes: Due to the placement of the interior engraving, this ring can only be sized a very small amount.