Here we have a cased tintype of a young woman in mourning attire while wearing a gold pinky ring. Given that this tintype came out of a collection of Civil War artifacts, this may be related to mourning the death of a soldier. The mood is definitely somber. The ring is something else. It's almost glowing on her finger. Here's some info on pinky rings in mourning photos:
Signet Rings: Pinky rings, especially for men, were often signet rings bearing a family crest or initials. In mourning portraits, these could symbolize family ties, lineage, and the continuation of the family despite loss.
Remembrance: Pinky rings could also be mourning rings specifically designed to commemorate the deceased. These might contain a lock of hair, a portrait miniature, or an inscription relating to the loved one.
Prominence: Wearing a ring on the pinky finger, especially in a posed photograph, makes it quite visible. This could indicate the importance of the ring and its connection to mourning.
Hand Gestures: In some mourning photographs, the hands are deliberately positioned to draw attention to the pinky ring, further emphasizing its significance.
The rare antique photograph comes out of an extensive Civil War collection which contained some very rare and unusual photography. The sixteenth plate tintype is housed in a wood and leatherette case.
The cased tintype measures about 3" tall by 2 1/2" wide and 1/2" deep. There is some slight wear from age throughout the tintype. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO boxes). Free shipping on the unusual 19th century Civil War photograph.
The sadness weighs heavy on this one.
