Statue of a Saint or Apostle

A pewter finger ring composed of a lentoid-section hoop supporting a cushion-shaped bezel, decorated with three graduated arms at each shoulder terminating in shallow recessed circles, additional decorative lobes to the upper and lower edges and four clusters of claws holding a clear rectangular glass inlay. 4.02 grams, 26.59 mm overall, 19.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



Found Cambridgeshire in the 1990s.

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 Georgian-era 15 carat gold and silver 'poison' ring, composed of a slender hoop of scrolls and crescents with a plain panel at the base, expanding shoulders formed as openwork foliate flourishes set with small stones; oval cluster bezel set with a central cushion-cut emerald weighing approximately 4.06 cts, held in a pierced setting with twisted gold wire collar, and surrounded by rose-cut diamonds; hinged bezel revealing a secret compartment beneath, the reverse domed and engraved with a stylised shell motif. 10.02 grams, 28.41 mm overall, 17.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Acquired from Platt Boutique Jewelry, Inc., West Hollywood, California, USA, 2016. Property of an East Sussex collector. Accompanied by a copy of the Platt Boutique Jewelry invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11668-197586.

'Poison rings' became popular in Europe during the 16th century, and Lucrezia Borgia is popularly believed to have used one. The compartment within the bezel was used to conceal poison, a lock of hair or other substances.