$1,880
Four 18th Century Jewelry Items, America, a gold navette-shaped mourning scarf pin with bright cut decoration and glass bead border, framing an engraved ivory depiction of a woman, a ship, and a bird and inscribed "a Moment and We are happy," the reverse with bright cut-designs and centered with a braided lock of hair; a ring centered with a faceted yellow hardstone surrounded by seed pearls, a note attached to the ring box inscribed "Sarah Eliot's Engagement Ring- M. in 1706"; a small oblong pin centered with an agate; a very small gold pin centered with a faceted oval stone or glass and surrounded by seed pearls, the initials "MEP" engraved on the reverse. Provenance: Descended through the Gerrish family of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to the present owner. Note: A copy of a family tree including the Wendell and Gerrish families of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, accompanies this lot. The mourning scarf pin is accompanied by notes referring to this and other family jewelry. One reads: "Fissure Pin worn by My Great Grandmother Sarah Eliot Gerrish who died Oct 27th 1770 aged 83, Helen B Gerrish. The pin was a present to Sarah from her Grandmother Eliot." The other notes are dated 1923. The agate pin was worn by Sarah Eliot Gerrish (1687-1770). The yellow stone and seed pearl ring was probably Sarah Eliot's engagement ring in 1706 (see note in ring box).
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2003-02-23
