Have you ever tried to write a narrative family history? Do you have a piece of #mourningjewellery ?
Join author Jean Renwick for our next talk on 23 March.

A skull and crossed bones appear on the hoop of this gold mourning ring. The ring is inscribed with the message 'In death shee's blest Since heavens her rest' Skull in white enamel on a black ground. 17th cent. (British Museum) #MementoMori #MourningJewellery #history #histodons #skull #17thcentury

A skeleton reclines on a coffin in this gold mourning slide. The coffin is inscribed with the message ‘I Rest’ Above this relaxed scene are two gold putti holding a cartouche with initials in gold thread. The background is hair. Mourning slides like this were worn on a ribbon around the wrist or neck, which was fastened through loops on the reverse. c.1700 (V&A, London) #MementoMori #skeleton #mourning #18thcentury #mourningjewellery #history #histodons #weirdhistory

A skeleton with a crown above its skull on the hoop of this enamelled gold mourning ring by goldsmith Ralph Good from Devizes, Wiltshire. The design of the ring indicates that it was originally a wedding ring and the skeleton has been added later. The inscription mentions RC who died in 1727 (@britishmuseum) #MementoMori #skeleton #jewellery #weirdhistory #histodons #history #mourningjewellery

The revolving bezel of this gold memento mori ring is enamelled with a grinning skull which is rather worn now. The reverse of the bezel has a merchant's mark and the edge carries the message 'nosse te ipsum' - 'know yourself'. c.1600 (@V_and_A) #MementoMori #skull #ring #history #histodons #mourningjewellery #17thcentury