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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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Bronze Fragmentary Bull
20th century A.D.Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £375
A dynamically poised bull, naturalistically modelled looking downwards and slightly to the left, with short curls to the top of the head; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 2.4 kg total, 30 cm wide including stand
From an important Paris gallery, France. with Adjug Auctions, Paris, France, 2 February 2020, lot 518. -
Ethiopian Maskal Cross with Ge'ez Inscriptions
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
A large bifacial wooden hand cross with engraved interlace borders and stylised flowers around crosses to one side, and blessing inscriptions in Ge'ez to the other framed by foliage; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 500 grams, 29 cm high (43 cm high including stand)
Acquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003. UK private collection.
Ethiopian crosses, called in Amharic Maskal are divided into four main types: a) handcrosses, which can be large (22 to 53 cm) or small (14 to 21cm); b) processional crosses, usually measuring 22-60cm; c) pectoral or neck crosses, measuring 1-10cm; d) apex or architectural crosses, measuring 50-150cm. Our maskal belongs to the large hand cross category, probably of Havaria group, most common in the Shoa and Gojam provinces. The inscription reads from top to bottom: Sdar Alazar (name of locality) – Egzten nute mäsqäl (cross) on the left side, and Egzten Jesus (on the right side) followed by Adoneh Gavriil – Welde Hannah – Welde Michail. The cross invokes the blessing of God through the three Saints Hannah, Michael, Gabriel, who can be also the names related to the family of the priest who once owned the cross. -
Post Medieval Gold 'No Recompence But Love' Posy Ring
Circa 18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
A large gold posy ring with D-section hoop and inscribed internally 'No recompence but love' in lower case with 'ML' maker's punch. 3.08 grams, 20.33 mm overall, 18.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.
