LOT 1880

Post Medieval Enamelled Gold Skull Ring

LATE 17TH CENTURY AD

3/4" (12 grams, 21mm overall, 18.50mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)).

A gold D-section hoop expanding to a flat, oval bezel; reserved leaf and geometric motifs to the shoulders on a black enamelled field, reserved skull to the bezel, also on a black enamelled field, with engraved and hatched detailing, incised initials 'F.G' to the brow of the skull.

From an old Southern English collection; acquired before 1995. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate.

Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate.

See Oman, Charles, British Rings, 800-1914, London, 1974, pl.85, E and F for similar rings of slightly earlier date; see also Jones, William, Finger-Ring Lore, London, 1898, pp.355-389 for much information on mourning rings, including those depicting a skull made in memory of the execution of Charles I in 1649.

The ring is reputed to have been found in an old Chichester, West Sussex house, possibly associated with Francis Goater, merchant, alderman and mayor, in 1668, of Chichester; he issued a token farthing dated 1659 which reads: 'FRAN GOATER OF / CHICHESTER MERC[h]ANT' with his initials F G and the date.