Clasped Hands Mizpah Ring

The very human emotions of love and sorrow have played a significant role in the history of jewelry. Ranging from acrostic rings with gems that spell out declarations of amour to those pieces of memento mori that remind us of the finite nature of life, these and others are known as sentimental jewelry. Perhaps one of the more poignant examples is that of the mizpah ring. Markedly popular during the Victorian and early Edwardian eras, this type of ring was given and worn when close relatives or lovers were about to be separated, often by catastrophic events such as war.

This ancient icon of clasped hands has been used in Roman mythology to represent Concordia, the goddess of agreement, understanding and marital harmony and during the Middle Ages to signify fidelity. Cast from 9k rose gold, this piece of sentimental jewelry displays, as though in an embrace, a masculine hand holding a distinctly feminine hand in an endearing caress. The image of the hands clearly declares the love, care and strength each has for the other and is a demonstration of the emotional bond between the two. Engraved in script on the interior of the band is the word “Mizpah”.

Measures ¼ of an inch (0.7 cm) at the widest, it rises up 1/8 of an inch (0.3 cm) off the finger. Currently a size US 7-1/2 (British O-1/2; Euro 17.75, 56 mm) with a weight of 3.5 grams. Can be sized by our expert jewelers to fit most. Hallmarked “9ct” gold. In very good condition with light overall wear. Some surface details have softened from years of caresses. Evidence of previous resizing visible with magnification. English in origin and dates to 1910 – 1920.