Mourning ring
Category
Jewellery
Date
1795
Materials
Gold and enamel.
Collection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 288801
Summary
Fine Georgian gold memorial ring, circa 1795. The circular bezel enamelled in black with white line enamel hoop decoration, the centre exhibiting the monogram 'MtE' with Earl's coronet above and bearing the motto 'SACRED TO FRIENDSHIP'. With a black and white enamelled mount. The bezel back engraved: Rt. Hon. Geo. Earl of Mt. Edgcumbe died 4th Feb.y 1795 Aged 74.
Full description
Fine Georgian gold memorial ring, circa 1795. The circular bezel enamelled in black with white line enamel hoop decoration, the centre exhibiting the monogram 'MtE' with Earl's coronet above and bearing the motto 'SACRED TO FRIENDSHIP'. With a black and white enamelled mount. The bezel back engraved: Rt. Hon. Geo. Earl of Mt. Edgcumbe died 4th Feb.y 1795 Aged 74. 1 A highly successful naval officer, George Edgcumbe (1720-1795) saw action in numerous campaigns achieving the rank of Vice Admiral in 1762 and Admiral of the White in 1782. He was created Viscount Mount Edgcumbe and Valletort in 1781 and, in 1789, was granted the further title of Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Somewhat controversially, he supported the cause of the colonists during the War of American Independence and the town of Edgecomb, in Maine was named in his honour. 2A three-quarter length portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds of George Edgcumbe wearing captain's full-dress uniform is located at the Royal Museums in Greenwich.
Provenance
Calke Abbey and contents transferred to the National Trust by the Treasury in lieu of CTT in 1985 with an endowment provided by the NHMF.
Marks and inscriptions
Back bezel.: Rt. Hon. George, earl of Mount Edgecumbe died Feby. 1795 aged 74 Front bezel.: MtE Sacred to Friendship