George III Gold Memento Mori Ring with Skull

Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear; the saint dressed in lamellar Roman cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George (Свято́й Гео́ргий ). 90 grams, 65 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a praetorian by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for good which defeats evil.

Substantial hoop with overlapping finials, large discoid bezel with low-relief image of a prancing horse, modelled after depictions on ancient Greek coins from the city of Maroneia in Thrace. 9.21 grams, 23.72 mm overall, 20.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Comprising four trumpet-shaped arms radiating from a central cube, each with a discoid head; motifs comprising: an agnus dei (lamb and flag), a two-headed spread eagle, a stag passant, a cockerel, each in a beaded border. 26.2 grams, 39 mm



Found Lincolnshire, UK.