William Brown Mourning Ring 1782

Plain narrow enamelled mourning band of high carat gold with a simple pattern of cross and diamond motifs and a scalloped border with an inscription to the interior.The mourning band is for the notable William Brown of Throckley 1717-1782, the English mining engineer, waggonway constructor and steam engine builder who played a major role in the development of the coal mining industry in the North East of England and also elsewhere in Britain and Ireland. He was the first to introduce the screening of coals; he made attempts to mechanise the hewing process with a machine known as ‘Willy Brown’s Iron Man’.Buried in Heddon churchyard – the family gravestone showing a coat of arms.UK size J 1/2, US size 5. Some minor loss to enamel.