Memento mori jewelry was popular for centuries, essentially a visual reminder that everyone must eventually die. As you might expect, these featured skulls, urns, weeping willows and skeletons, symbols of death.

This ring, dated to the 17th century, is available from Berganza: “A gold ring composed of a flat circular plaque featuring a black and white enamel skull, leading to rounded shoulders which flow directly through to a solid D-shape shank with a central gold ridge, grooved edges and traces of textured black enamel throughout, engraved to the interior in italics ‘Death seperateth friends’ highlighted in black enamel. Tested yellow gold, maker’s mark ‘MD’, circa 17th century.”

The price is available upon request.