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Mourning bracelet clasp for John and Lydia 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 2.7cm (1 7/8 x 1 1/16in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Charles H. Wood
Accession Number1985.1026
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Bracelets and armlets
This clasp memorialized the deaths of John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his aunt, a mother figure for John, who was orphaned at a young age.
DescriptionTwo women are flanking an ivory obelisk upon which is written IN / DEATH / LAMENT / ED AS IN/ LIFE / BELOVED. An angel flies above with a trumpet. The ground is composed of chopped hair. There are several seed pearl accents with some loose. 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 containing woven brown hair.
InscriptionsRev: HIS EXELy. I. HANCOCK ESQr: OBt: 8 OCTr. 1793 AEt. 57. / MADm. L. HANCOCK OB. 25 APRIL 1776 AEt: 61
ProvenanceAbout 1793, family of John and Lydia Hancock; by 1945, in the collection of William B Wood (1879- 1945/8) of Jamaica Plain, Mass; 1945, bequeathed to Charles H Wood (1913-1993); 1985, gift of Charles H. Wood of Duxbury, Mass. to the MFA (Accession date: December 11, 1985).