Evocative of love, memory, and mourning in the early Victorian era, this rare and poetic ring features a dendritic agate at its center—an agate later replaced but chosen to honor the piece’s original intent. Revered for its fern-like inclusions, dendritic agate was often used in 19th-century mourning jewelry to symbolize endurance, growth, and eternal connection.
The reverse of the ring bears a deeply personal hand-engraved inscription: “Harriet Wilkes Died 19th June 1838” -- betweenA touching tribute to a lost loved one, the engraving grounds the piece in a moment of personal history and imbues it with sentiment beyond ornament.
The face of the ring measures approximately 0.3 inches from top to bottom. It is currently a size 6 and may be resized for an additional charge. While the agate is a later replacement, the ring retains its original gold mounting, craftsmanship, and historical soul. It remains in good antique condition, with wear consistent with its age and storied past.
This is a profoundly meaningful jewel—an early Victorian mourning ring that speaks to the enduring bond between memory and adornment. Ideal for the collector drawn to antique sentiment, storytelling, and 19th-century memorial art.
