Details
A RARE RENAISSANCE DATED SIGNET RING
The oval rock-crystal cover to the bezel engraved with a merchant's mark, initials W.H. and date 1592 enclosed in a scrolled cartouche over red, green and gold coloured foils, plain gold hoop, finger size R 1/2
Related to an important group of 16th Century foiled crystal armorial signet rings, including the famous 'grasshopper rings', the above example is particularly interesting as belonging to a prosperous merchant who on this occasion would appear to be non-armigerous. Cf. Oman, op. cit., pl.52 a) for a very similar mark, also cf. A. Somers Cocks (ed.), 'Princely Magnificence', Court Jewels of the Renaissance, 1980, nos. 7, 30, 76 and D.Scarisbrick, Rings, 1993, p.58. For a compilation of devices found on merchants' rings see Edward M. Elmhirst, Merchants' Marks, Harleian Society, 1959
The oval rock-crystal cover to the bezel engraved with a merchant's mark, initials W.H. and date 1592 enclosed in a scrolled cartouche over red, green and gold coloured foils, plain gold hoop, finger size R 1/2
Related to an important group of 16th Century foiled crystal armorial signet rings, including the famous 'grasshopper rings', the above example is particularly interesting as belonging to a prosperous merchant who on this occasion would appear to be non-armigerous. Cf. Oman, op. cit., pl.52 a) for a very similar mark, also cf. A. Somers Cocks (ed.), 'Princely Magnificence', Court Jewels of the Renaissance, 1980, nos. 7, 30, 76 and D.Scarisbrick, Rings, 1993, p.58. For a compilation of devices found on merchants' rings see Edward M. Elmhirst, Merchants' Marks, Harleian Society, 1959