SILVER SONNET

POETRY. EARLY NINETEENTH-CENTURY SONNET FINELY ENGRAVED ON A SILVER MEMORIAL PLAQUE, THE REVERSE CONTAINING A LOCK OF HAIR AND PEARL, THE SUBJECTS OF THE POEM, the hair arranged under glass like two waves with a central floral motif on a beige background with sprays of gold thread and one pearl, the poem engraved in a cursive Italic script with the title 'On a lock of hair' in a calligraphic cartouche, the silver octagonal convex plaque with rounded corners, c. 3¼ x 2¾ inches [undated or hallmarked, but early nineteenth-century] The sonnet is a lament by a woman for her lost love, comforted by the hair and pearl:

I love to cast my eyes on thee, thou beauteous curl,
Thou dearest pledge of joy and future bliss,
I love to gaze on thee thou precious pearl,
For thou awakest fondest memories:
Methinks in thee I view his spotless form.
And see each lovely charm reflecting there;
Methinks in thee I trace those feelings warm
With hope, and watch the pearly tear
Of Love -- methinks in thee I hear the tender sigh,
The parting word -- the last farewell --
Methinks I see in that impassioned eye
That lingering look I know so well,
O yes, in thee sweet ringlet, rests my future joy,
God grant it may be free from all alloy!

A highly unusual item of considerable charm.

£1,500