Collection Highlights
The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands
Date:
Object Number:
LIB.QH41.C26.1974
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Mourning ring in box
Object Number:
1961.5ab
Date:
1805
Medium:
Gold, hair; leather, satin, velvet
Dimensions:
Overall: 1/4 x 3/4 x 3/4 in. (0.6 x 1.9 x 1.9 cm)
Container (box): 1 1/8 × 1 3/8 × 7/8 in. (2.9 × 3.5 × 2.2 cm)
Marks:
engraved: underside of ring mount: "AHamilton/Obt/12 July 1804/Aet/46 Ys 6 Ms"
handwritten: in ink on underside of box: "General/Hamiltons/hair"
Description:
Gold mourning ring with double shank band and central square mount framing braided hair of General Alexander Hamilton; mount engraved on reverse. Domed-top red leather box; top lined with ivory satin; bottom lined with blue velvet and woven satin braid; box has rotating hook clasp; inscription on box underside.
Gallery Label:
This mourning ring is set with a lock of Alexander Hamilton's hair, which was presented to a friend of Hamilton's by his wife in 1805. [See photograph of original letter of presentation in accession book].
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. B. Pendleton Rogers
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
