Georgian Silver 'Born to Die' Ring

CIRCA 18TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (7.28 grams, 23.96 mm overall, 20.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)).

Substantial hoop with segmented profile, low-relief inscription 'MORTI NATUS EST' to the underside, flowers in the following open field, ellipsoid plaques to the shoulders with facing skull motifs, owl with spread wings on the bezel. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s.

Literature

Cf. Mills, N., Medieval Artefacts, Witham, 2003, p.51, NM130, for the type of ring.

Footnotes

The ring belongs to the memento mori (remember you shall die) ring type. Upon the bezel is engraved an owl, an animal symbol for the Other World. The inscription Morti Natus Est, means 'born to die' a reminder of fragility of life.

CONDITION

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LOT 1969