A memento mori or mourning ring discovered in St Margaret's has been donated to Dover Museum (photo: Kent County Council)
Discovery of gold ring and its links to prominent local family
A complete cast gold memento mori or mourning ring dating to 1712 has been donated to Dover Museum following a discovery at St Margaret’s at Cliffe. The ring was discovered by Aidan McHale from Eastbourne who was metal detecting with the permission of the landowner in October 2020.
The find was reported to the local coroner as the ring qualifies as treasure under the Treasure Act 1996 as it contains more than 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old.
Mourning rings and other forms of jewellery depicting death were commonplace in the 17th and 18th century to remind people of their mortality. The skull was the most prominent icon of memento mori jewellery.
The ring discovered by Aidan is engraved with a central motif of a stylised skull with circular eye sockets, eyebrows, a triangular nose, and teeth. The rest of the ring is decorated with flower heads, possibly thistles with flowing leaves and tendrils.
An inscription on the inside of the ring includes the initials “MM” and indicates that the person died on 24 November 1712 aged 82. A maker’s mark on the ring is close to that of David Cartier, a smallworker registered in London. The quality of the ring means it would have belonged to a wealthy family of the time.
A search of parish burial records indicates that the ring is likely to have commemorated Mary Matson who was buried at St James cemetery in Dover on 28 November 1712. Mary was the wife of John Matson, a prominent local merchant and the Mayor of Dover from 1668-1670.
Aiden McHale said: “I am very pleased to be returning a piece of history back to Dover and having it on display for everyone to see.”
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We’re delighted to accept this donation to the Museum’s collection. As well as being a fine example of a memento mori, the ring is also an important link to one of the town’s most prominent families of the time.”
The ring was formally recorded in the museum's collection by apprentice, Lizzy Sharpe, to mark National Apprenticeship Week and is now on display at Dover Museum which is free to visit.
Picture caption (left to right): Museum Apprentice, Lizzy Sharpe, Aiden McHale, and Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of the Council
Dover Museum opening hours
October to March, Monday to Saturday 0930-1700 (closed on Sunday)
April to September, Monday to Saturday 0930-1700 (Sunday 1000-1500)
Posted on 14 February 2023