The George III navette-shaped ring decorated in red, white and blue enamel with the Union Flag can be dated to c.1801, the year parallel acts of the Parliament of Great Britain and the Parliament of Ireland came into force. The creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland also required a new flag. It is likely that this ring (estimate £3000-5000) is one of the earliest depictions of the Union Flag in jewellery.
Late 18th century mourning locket, estimate £400-600 at Woolley & Wallis.
A selection of Georgian mourning jewels includes this exceptional late 18th century oval locket pendant set with a detailed ivory sepia miniature and accented with hairwork, gold wire and seed pearls. It comes in its original red leather case with a maker’s stamp for Miers Profile Painter and Jeweller, No.111 Strand, Miniatures Set and Framed, Hair-work &c executed peculiarly Neat.
John Miers (1758-1821), who came from a family of artisans in Leeds, was a pre-eminent painter of silhouettes (or shades) who set up in London in the 1780s.
A handwritten label to the case reading Sophia d of 7th Earl by 1st wife, died as child identifies the subject as Lady Sophia Augusta Lambart (1787-98), daughter of the 7th Earl of Cavan and his first wife Honora.
However, the inclusion of monograms for the Viscount Kilcoursie suggests it may instead refer to Sophia’s two brothers (both named Richard) who also died in infancy.
The scene shows a grieving mother witnessing two of her children’s souls breaking out of a memorial as they are guided towards heaven by angels.
