Ring with Standing Figure Gemstone

A silver seal with loop terminal and octagonal matrix, bearing an incuse griffin standing right to the base; accompanied by an impression. 3.09 grams, 18 mm



Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

A gold posy ring with rectangular-section hoop in the form of a buckled belt with looped end tie and chape with double-bowed and pinned buckle, the outer face inscribed '+HOPE * IS * MI HOLDE' in Roman capitals, continuing 'TILL * HAP * SHALL * HELPE' around the interior; accompanied by a vintage ring box. 2.76 grams, 19.17 mm overall, 16.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6 1/4, Europe 12.34, Japan 12)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Hursley, Hampshire, UK, on Sunday 26th August 2012. Acquired from Berganza, Hatton Garden, London, 2017. Property of an East Sussex collector. Disclaimed under the Treasure Act with reference no.2012 T805. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.HAMP-62C152. 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.11667-197581.

The inscription is somewhat enigmatic and does not seem to have been previously recorded for a posy ring; the form of the buckle and the knopped chape are typical of examples seen, often in base metal, from the late medieval period to the 16th century A.D. The name of this genre of ring is derived from the 'poesy' or motto usually engraved around the hoop. In medieval examples the posy is mostly engraved around the outside of the hoop but later examples find it on the inner surface. Rings with amatory inscriptions have their origins in the 14th century A.D., when they served as love gifts, betrothal and wedding rings, as attested by surviving documentary evidence. Posy rings were also given to friends or used to mark significant occasions.

A complete silver dress fitting or strap mount in the form of two conjoined scallop shells along one edge of a sub rectangular bar with sloping sides, the fitting with central perforation and two slender mounting lugs to reverse. 1.24 grams, 12 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 1st March 2019 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-86C7C3. Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Oxfordshire Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) with treasure reference number 2019 T648.

The scallop shell was associated with St. James and the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe. The scallop shell became the symbol for pilgrimage more generally in this period. It is an overtly Catholic symbol which could have been worn with freedom before c. 1540, or in the period of the Marian revival of Catholicism from 1553-1558. Pilgrimage to the shrine at Compostela from England would have been interrupted by the English Reformation. The PAS report notes that similar examples have been declared as treasure, including: KENT-FEE744 (2014 T641) and NLM-538148 (2010 T539), both dating to the 16th century A.D.