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Mourning bracelet clasp for John George Washington Hancock
Attributed to: Stephen Twycross (1745–1824)
American
about 1793
Object Place: London, England
Medium/Technique
Gold; watercolor on ivory, hair
Dimensions
Overall: 4.8 x 2.9cm (1 7/8 x 1 1/8in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Charles H. Wood
Accession Number1985.1025
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Bracelets and armlets
Engraved on the back: "INo. George Washington Hancock Died 1.27.87 9 yrs." Young Hancock, son of John Hancock, died after he slipped and fell on ice.
DescriptionTwo mourners, a man and woman, stand flanking an ivory obelisk upon which is written -GO- / SPOTLESS / INNOCENCE / -TO- / ENDLESS / BLISS. The ground is composed of chopped hair. There are several seed pearl accents with some now missing. The scene is framed by two narrow bands of blue and white enamel. Two conforming gold pieces on each side are pierced with eight holes to allow attachment to multi-strand bracelet. On the reverse is an inscription surrounding a glass compartment with woven brown and gray hair.
InscriptionsINo. GEO: WASHINGTON HANCOCK. OBt. 27. JAN. 1787 AEt. 9. Yrs.
ProvenanceBy 1945, in the collection of William B Wood (1879- 1945/8) of Jamaica Plain, Mass; 1945, bequeathed to Charles H Wood (b. 1913 - d. 1993); 1985, gift of Charles H. Wood, Duxbury, Mass. to the MFA (Accession date: December 11, 1985).