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LOT 0344
Baroque Gold, Ruby and Enamel Ring
CIRCA 1620-1640 A.D.
1 in. (4.57 grams, 23.32 mm overall, 18.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)).
A gold ring composed of a slender hoop, expanding shoulders decorated with white enamelled foliage and black enamelled pea-pod ornament, repeated around the bezel, bezel with box setting holding a table-cut ruby, white and black enamelled floral design to the underside; minor loss of enamel; likely from France; accompanied by a 'Les Enluminures' hinged presentation box.
ProvenanceAcquired from Les Enluminures Ltd, Illinois, USA, 2016.
Property of an East Sussex collector.
Accompanied by a Les Enluminures certificate of authenticity.
Accompanied by a copy of the Les Enluminures invoice.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11671-197579.
Cf. Fuhring, P. ed., 'Le Style' cosse de pois' L'orfevrene et la gravure a Paris sous Louis XIII, in Cazette des Beaux Arts, January 2002, for the pea-pod ornament; cf. Chadour, A., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, Leeds, 1994, vol. 1, no.701; cf. Oman, C., British Rings 800-1914, London, 1987, pl.96.c, for type; cf. Scarisbrick, D. et al., Toward an Art History of Medieval Rings: A private Collection, pp.204-205, for comparable.
FootnotesOver the centuries, the ruby became a symbol of the amorous heart and a popular gemstone for betrothal or wedding rings in Western Europe. This gemstone was believed to symbolise the virtues of marriage and convey the desire for eternal matrimonial love. The ruby-red colour was often enhanced by setting the stone on top of a foil. The stones themselves were imported from as far afield as Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka. Old inventories record them as 'balas rubies', which were sourced to decorate royal crowns. In the 17th century, the red colour was set-off by the pastel shades of satin which were fashionable in dress at the court of King Louis VIII, where the art of enamelling was also practiced.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0344
Baroque Gold, Ruby and Enamel Ring
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000€23,200 - 34,800 (for guidance only)$27,000 - 40,500 (for guidance only)
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Tudor Silver Saint James Double Scallop Shell Dress Mount
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
A complete silver dress fitting or strap mount in the form of two conjoined scallop shells along one edge of a sub rectangular bar with sloping sides, the fitting with central perforation and two slender mounting lugs to reverse. 1.24 grams, 12 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 1st March 2019 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-86C7C3. Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Oxfordshire Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) with treasure reference number 2019 T648.
The scallop shell was associated with St. James and the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe. The scallop shell became the symbol for pilgrimage more generally in this period. It is an overtly Catholic symbol which could have been worn with freedom before c. 1540, or in the period of the Marian revival of Catholicism from 1553-1558. Pilgrimage to the shrine at Compostela from England would have been interrupted by the English Reformation. The PAS report notes that similar examples have been declared as treasure, including: KENT-FEE744 (2014 T641) and NLM-538148 (2010 T539), both dating to the 16th century A.D. -
South American Silver Spoon Pin with Birds
18th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
A large silver spoon composed of an ovoid bowl, rectangular neck with tapering upper sides and tapering round-section stem, the neck decorated with geometric and foliate motifs, flanked by a peacock on both sides with wing and tail feather detailing; repaired. 67 grams, 27 cm long
Acquired in 1988. UK private collection. -
Stuart Period Silver Ring with Shield and IHS
Circa 17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
A silver finger ring with teardrop bezel, pointillé border, 'IHS' inscription with cross supported by the 'H'. 7.32 grams, 21.57 mm overall, 18.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.
