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LOT 0336
Stuart Period Gold Renaissance Memento Mori Signet Ring with C.L. and Skull
17TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (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)).
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 197587, for a very similar ring dated c.1600 A.D.; cf. The V&A Museum, accession numbers M.272-1962, M.378-1927 and M.273-1962, for broadly comparable examples.
FootnotesSignet 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.
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 0336
Stuart Period Gold Renaissance Memento Mori Signet Ring with C.L. and Skull
Sold for (Inc. bp): £19,500
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Tudor Period Ring with Armorial Intaglio
Circa 16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
A copper-alloy ring composed of a slightly convex hoop and octagonal bezel, set with an armorial glass intaglio; remains of polychrome enamelled cells to the vertical bezel edge. 4.95 grams, 26.72 mm overall, 21.47 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)
Found Cambridgeshire in the 1990s. -
Tudor Silver Saint James Double Scallop Shell Dress Mount
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
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. -
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Gilt Framed Set of Historical Prints
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
A set of four framed and glazed historical prints: William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, engraved by W. Holl., published London, 1833, by Harding & Lepard; Horation, First Lord Walpole, engraved by W. Holl., published London, 1835, by Harding & Lepard; Henry Spencer, First Earl of Sunderland, engraved by H. Robinson, published London, 1832, by Harding & Lepard; Walter, First Lord Aston, engraved by W.T. Mote, published London, 1832, by Harding & Lepard. 2.35 kg total, 32.5 x 24.5 cm each
Fair to fine condition.
Ex property of a North London, UK, gentleman.
