Accession No

1922.903.1


Description

Gold signet finger ring with revolving bezel. Oval bezel with central revolving plaque; hoop with D-shaped cross-section flaring at the shoulders; one side of the plaque has a black and white enamel skull at the centre, surrounded by the words 'Memento Mori'; on the other side is a merchant's mark with the monogram 'IP or 'JP', a lovers knot or mourning ribbon with tassels and a horizontal cross at top; stamped border around the plaque and the sides of the bezel.


Place

Europe; British Isles; England


Period

Post Medieval 16th century c 1575


Source

Clarke, Louise Colville Gray [donor]


Department

Arch


Reference Numbers

1922.903.1


Cultural Affliation


Material

Metal; Gold; Enamel


Local Term


Measurements

20mm


Events

Description (Inscription)
Engraved around skull: 'Memento mori'
On reverse: 'IP' or 'JP'
Event Date
Author: maa


Context (Display)
Ring 1922.903.1 and impression 1922.903.2 previously mounted on patterned paper-wrapped display with handwritten label: 'GOLD RING with revolving bezel. c. 1575. On one side: "Memento Mori" and a skull. On reverse: Signet J.P. and Merchants mark.
On reverse, in ink: C.1575 / Clarke Gift'
Event Date
Author: Imogen Gunn


Description (Physical description)
Gold ring with revolving bezel. One side an enamelled skull and Memento Mori and on reverse 'I.P.' interlaced by a merchant's mark
Event Date 1922
Author: maa


Description (Physical description)
Accession Register: 'Gold and enamel 'memento mori' ring... circa 1575 with revolving bezel.'
Event Date 1922
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)


Context (Display)
Exhibited in 'Gold: Britain's Glorious Riches', The Goldsmiths' Company, 1 June - 28 July 2012.
Event Date 1/6/2012
Author: Imogen Gunn


Context (Analysis)
There are similar rings with a revolving bevel and skull motif in the British Museum (1871,0302.5) and in the Victoria and Albert Museum (M.18-1929).
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Katrina Dring


Description (Physical description)
Gold signet finger ring with revolving bezel. Oval bezel with central revolving plaque; hoop with D-shaped cross-section flaring at the shoulders; one side of the plaque has a black and white enamel skull at the centre, surrounded by the words 'Memento Mori'; on the other side is a merchant's mark with the monogram 'IP or 'JP', a lovers knot or mourning ribbon with tassels and a horizontal cross at top; stamped border around the plaque and the sides of the bezel.
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Katrina Dring


FM:45274

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