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LOT 2181
Post Medieval Silver Memento Mori Ring with Skull and Crossed Bones
18TH-19TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (7.9 grams, 24.6 mm overall, 21.29 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)).
Openwork fronds to the shoulders, rectangular plaque with raised border, incuse skull motif over two long bones crossed, script capital 'B'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx East Sussex private collection, 1970s-1980s.
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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LOT 2181
Post Medieval Silver Memento Mori Ring with Skull and Crossed Bones
Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
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German Military Pin and Badge Collection
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Including 'Deutscher Flotenverein', two-headed eagle and other designs. 64 grams total, 18-62 mm
From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson. -
Ancient Style Sapphire Gemstone with Head of Medusa
18th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Incuse gorgoneion with writhing snakes. 0.37 grams, 6 mm
Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, England. -
Post Medieval Gold Fede Ring
England, 16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Slender shank and expanding shoulders formed as lace cuffs, the bezel a pair of clasped hands gripping a heart. 3.71 grams, 23.07 mm overall, 20.14 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.
The two clasping hands with elaborate cuffs clutch a heart. This ring features the ancient fede motif of two hands clasped together, however in their grasp is a heart. These symbols represented love and fidelity. The ring was likely a token of love symbolising everlasting devotion, or possibly a betrothal ring. The word Fede takes its name from the Italian word for faith or trust with the two clasped hands symbolising an attachment that usually led to marriage. The motif of the two clasped hands was already in use in ancient Rome, it was a symbol of pledging of vows, which derives from the Roman ‘dextarum iunctio’ (right hand joined). Fede rings remained popular throughout Europe until well into the 19th century with their peak of manufacture during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
