DATE: Georgian, c.1800

A fine example of a Roman Catholic Nun's wedding ring bearing the inscription to the inner band: "Mary Joseph Jesus". Up until the 1960s, every nun in the Catholic church would take part in a wedding ceremony to signify their complete renunciation of the world and adoption of a nun's life. She would dress in bridal white with wreath and veil, and receive a wedding ring as a "Bride of Christ". This was followed with a wedding breakfast, including wedding cake (!), and then the white veil would be swapped for a black one as she forever forswears the world and its pleasures.

It's incredibly unusual to find such a piece, as typically nuns were buried wearing their rings... so perhaps the owner of this one left the Faith? Modelled in 18k gold.

MEASUREMENTS 

Width of band: 4.2mm

WEIGHT 

4.5g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 18k gold

Inscription: "Mary Joseph Jesus" and " P A"

CONDITION 

Good, it's been worn alongside another ring so there's a groove along one edge where the rings have rubbed