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LOT 1458
Post Medieval Gold Ring with Mercury Gemstone
17TH-18TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (3.36 grams, 21.24 mm overall, 18.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)).
A gold finger ring with openwork hoop and split shoulders, ellipsoid bezel with carnelian intaglio of Mercury wearing a petasos.
ProvenanceEnglish private collection.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Post Medieval Gold Memento Mori Ring for O. Coates
Dated 12 October 1847 A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A gold memento mori ring of composite construction, with everted upper and lower rim engraved with foliate motifs to the front faces, recessed central band engraved with a floral panel and inscription 'IN MEMORY OF', with continued inscription to the interior in cursive script 'O. Coates Obt. 12. Oct 1847, aet 54', followed by the hallmarks comprising: HI or IH maker's mark, anchor for Birmingham, 18 carat mark, George IV duty mark and date letter 'Gothic A' for 1824; field to exterior keyed to receive enamel; seemingly an older ring with later inscription. 1.50 grams, 19.63 mm overall, 17.78 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)
Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman. -
Stuart Period Gold Renaissance Memento Mori Signet Ring with C.L. and Skull
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £19,500
A substantial gold signet ring composed of a lentoid-section hoop, expanding capital style shaped shoulders and irregular octagonal bezel engraved with a skull, two flowers below separating the reversed initials in capitals: 'CL', framed by a beaded border. 15.65 grams, 27.14 mm overall, 22.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)
Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a London gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11664-197587.
Signet rings were jewellery items serving practical functions, and were pressed into hot wax to seal letters and packets. Personal seals or secreta acted as a legal safeguard, since they were used to witness wills, loans, commercial, personal and other documents. Such rings were often engraved with a coat of arms, initials, merchant's mark or some other personal symbol. Painted portraits of this period portray the wearer with the signet ring on the thumb or forefinger, allowing for practical use. Skulls on rings were potent symbols of mortality. 'Memento mori' or 'remember that you must die' imagery served as a reminder to the Christian of the need to keep their soul in good order for the final judgment. -
Edwardian Ring with Date
Dated 1906 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
A bronze finger ring with foliate ornament to the shoulders, florid bezel with incised date '1906' below horizontal band. 4.81 grams, 25.08 mm overall, 21.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z, USA 12 1/2, Europe 28.77, Japan 27)
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.
