Woven Mourning Ring

An ever so delicate Victorian era hair and gold mourning ring done in a peculiar style. The ring itself is made of woven human hair, the fact that hair was chosen and then woven into a circle is not uncommon. That was the norm in the time before home photography. When you wanted to grieve or mourn the loss of a loved one, but didn't have a painting or photo, you'd use a piece of hair in an article of jewelry.  Most commonly in pendants and lockets, but also seen in rings and earrings, there was a vast array of styles of mourning jewelry spanning from the Georgian period through the Victorian era.  Rings with hair often had small compartments at the top holding a small lock of hair, or had it wrapped or woven around a metal band, sometimes with engraving or enameling.  This piece is mostly hair, only a small portion at the top is metal, just enough space to secure the hair within, and to engrave a few initials on top while still having some design and character. Engraved "MP" and weighi