Gifts of Grandeur: The "I Cherish Even Her Shadow" Ring, 1780

I Cherish Even Her Shadow
French Love Ring
c. 1780, Imported to England 1864
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This Eighteenth-Century ring which somewhat resembles contemporary mourning rings, is inscribed in French around the bezel, “JE CHERIS JUSQU'A SON OMBRE “ meaning “I cherish even her shadow.”  Aw.  While it could well have been made as a mourning ring, chances are, this ring was made as a token of affection and to serve as a reminder of this gentleman’s lover. 

The blue enameled gold ring is surmounted by an oval bezel set with a silhouette of a woman with a locket of plaited hair beneath glass.  A French import mark from 1864 appears on the hoop, however, the piece was made in France around 1780.