Post Medieval Silver Ring with Vibrant Blood Orange Insert

Slender hoop with cell set with a carnelian intaglio of Cupid driving a chariot pulled by two swans; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.62 grams, 22.03 mm overall, 18.31 x 16.45 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Oval in plan with a vivid polychrome enamel scene on a black ground to the upper face of the lid, within a gilt-copper frame: Mercury, identifiable by his winged helmet and caduceus, standing beneath a classical arch flanked by stylised columns and vases of flowers; above the entablature, a canopy held aloft by two snails, with twin ewers crowning the upper corners and issuing stylised streams; the architectural and ornamental elements highlighted with translucent and opaque enamel, highlighted with gilding and intricate punchwork; the frame with a guilloche border, surmounted by a pierced rocaille loop with a scallop motif, and terminating below in a turned pendant finial; the sides of the frame engraved with a delicate foliate frieze, the reverse flat-chased with three vases of stylised flowers issuing from scrolled supports, framed above by draped swags, butterflies, and a winged cherubic mask; the case hinges open at the top, the interior, originally fitted with mirrored glass, now partially oxidised but retaining areas of reflection. 168 grams, 14.4 cm



Private collection, France. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12998-246011.

The enamel composition is directly derived from a print by Étienne Delaune (1518/19-1583), from his series Grotesques à Fond Noir, Dieux et Déesses, created in France c.1550-1572, before he departed for Strasbourg. Delaune’s engravings were a principal source for Limoges enamellers of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, particularly in the production of oval mirror plaques for personal toilette or cabinet display.

D-section hoop with enamel panels to the shoulders, arcade to the rectangular bezel with inset table-cut crystal. 2.17 grams, 21.88 mm overall, 16.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK, on Wednesday 17th November 2021. Acquired on the English art market. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (mPAS) report no.LIN-CCA6D4. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13050-248358.

Finger rings with a principal stone and subsidiary settings in separate collets came into use in the early 13th century, and this form of simple collet continued in use until the 15th century. A gold medieval finger ring with a similar bezel, but with subsidiary settings, is recorded on the PAS database (LIN-EC74C7, 2020T819). Other gold finger rings with a principal stone (albeit with subsidiary settings) and similar framed bezel recorded as treasure on the PAS database, including one from Soberton, Hampshire (HAMP-1DCFF0, 2017T156) and Huntingdon district area, CAM-4A8AB6, 2020T089.