Mourning ring (Gregory Purcell), possibly Boston, 1776
Entry/Object ID
2015.004
Description
Mourning ring. A small gold band with raised lettering on black enamel reading "GREGORY PURCELL ESQ. OB: 31 OCT 1776" centering a rectangular stone beneath which is probably hair. Apparently unmarked.
Acquisition
Accession
2015.004
Source or Donor
Northeast Auctions
Acquisition Method
Purchase
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds provided by Michael Kennedy, Karen Carpenter, Richard Candee, Tom McCarron, Louise Richardson, Mary Griffin, Brad Lown, and Reagan Ruedig
Made/Created
Date made
1776
Place
City
Possibly Boston, Massachusetts, or Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Dimensions
Diameter
3/4 in
Material
Gold, Hair, Enamel, Crystal
Provenance
Notes
Made for the funeral of Gregory Purcell (1727-1776), original owner of the home now known as the John Paul Jones House;
probably by descent in his family;
acquired in the twentieth century by the noted silver and jewelry scholar Martha Gandy Fales (1930-2006);
by inheritance to her niece ca, 2006;
consigned to Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, March 22, 2015, lot 8;
purchased at that sale by the Society with the help of several generous donors.
