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Requires Photography
Mourning ring for John Davis Williams
about 1807
Object Place: United States
Medium/Technique
Gold; jet, hair
Dimensions
Height x width: 2.5 cm (1 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Catherine Waters Faucon
Accession Number28.283
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Rings
DescriptionBraided brown and gray hair within beveled glass compartment, surrounded by faceted black stones (probably jet), in gold setting, tripartite shank that was sized in the back.
InscriptionsJDW died May 25, 1807 Ae 68 years. Engraved inside
ProvenanceDescended in the family to Miss Catherine Waters Faucon by 1928; to MFA April 26, 1928, gift.
"John Davis Williams b 25 D. 1739 His wife [Hannah (Davis) Williams, b 5 Dec. 1751 d 15 Mar. 1844] gave this ring to her daughter Hannah, (1781-1841) (my grandmother- Hannah (Williams) Weld 1781-1841 m. 1800 to DAnl Weld, 1772-1852)upon the death of her husband and of her daughter Betsey (b 5 Je 1784 d. 10 Ap 1807)The daughter's death hastened the fathers. The ring contains the hair of each" (from object file)
"John Davis Williams b 25 D. 1739 His wife [Hannah (Davis) Williams, b 5 Dec. 1751 d 15 Mar. 1844] gave this ring to her daughter Hannah, (1781-1841) (my grandmother- Hannah (Williams) Weld 1781-1841 m. 1800 to DAnl Weld, 1772-1852)upon the death of her husband and of her daughter Betsey (b 5 Je 1784 d. 10 Ap 1807)The daughter's death hastened the fathers. The ring contains the hair of each" (from object file)