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LOT 0338
Gold, Enamel, and Diamond-Set Skull Ring
CIRCA 1700 A.D.
3/4 in. (2.82 grams, 19.54 mm overall,17.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)).
A Queen Anne period gold ring composed of a slender hoop with expanding shoulders formed as the ball-joints of long bones; bezel formed as an elongated stylised skull featuring large eye-sockets set with facetted diamonds; white enamelled teeth and head detailing; accompanied by a vintage ring box.
ProvenanceAcquired from Berganza, Hatton Garden, London, 2016.
Property of an East Sussex collector.
Accompanied by a copy of the Berganza invoice.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11665-197583.
Cf. The V&A Museum, London, accession number 528-1868, for a ring of similar type.
FootnotesLikely a ring of the memento mori genre.
The V & A Museum states that during the 'Renaissance, the ring developed from the simple forms of the medieval period into a miniature work of art, combining the skills of the chaser, engraver and enameller as well as the stone cutter.'
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Tudor Gilt Silver Dress Pin
Circa 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
A gilt-silver dress pin composed of a round-section body and roughly spherical head, decorated with granules and filigree trefoils and roundels above and below a medial band. 2.8 grams, 62 mm
Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. -
Baroque Gold, Ruby and Enamel Ring
Circa 1620-1640 A.D.Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £6,667
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. 4.57 grams, 23.32 mm overall, 18.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)
Acquired 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.
Over 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. -
Marble Archaic Kouros Statue
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
A Greek style marble archaic kouros statue carved with braided hair held by a diadem, arms held straight at the sides, legs in advancing pose. 16.5 kg, 71 cm high
French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France.
The kouros (free-standing nude male youth) first appeared in ancient Greece in the Archaic Greek period; kouros figures have been found across the Greek-speaking world, concentrated mainly in sanctuaries of Apollo. The term means ‘male youth, particularly one of noble rank’; when a pubescent boy came of age in ancient Greece, he was known as a kouros, at which point he could participate in the initiation feast of the brotherhood. The god Apollo was known as the greatest kouros. Typically life-sized, these figures were produced in marble, but have also been found in limestone, wood, bronze and terracotta. The female counterpart is the kore.
