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A unicorn gold seal ring, 15th - 16th century, the heavy ring with round bezel intaglio...
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Description
A unicorn gold seal ring, 15th - 16th century, the heavy ring with round bezel intaglio carved with a unicorn restant within a corded border, the interior of the band inscribed in Medieval French gothic script ‘Le voyr’, weight 15.3gm, ring size Q. £8,000-£10,000
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Provenance: From a private family collection, circa 1970, and thence by family descent.
The Medieval French inscription ‘le voyr’ or ‘le voir’ translates as ‘see it/him’, probably alluding to the unicorn.
Whilst a titled gentleman’s signet ring bore his family crest or coat of arms, by the late Medieval and post Medieval periods, signet rings were in wider use often engraved with para-heraldic devices.
“The image graven on the bezel needed only to be a visual representation or device of an individual; something that was enough to create a distinctive, identifiable sign... Many rings with non heraldic devices attempt in part to make reference to true heraldry... This could in turn elevate a man’s status socially and this was one means of defining his masculinity”. (Awais-Dean, N.)
Of all the mythical beasts, the unicorn is one of the most elusive and secretive: its essential characteristics being the single horn, the magical quality of repelling poison, its fierceness and fleetness of foot and its ability to elude capture. They are said to represent purity, innocence and truth. In the Middle Ages the unicorn was sometimes used to symbolise the death and sacrifice of Christ, whilst in the 13th century a more romantic imagery was popular: Richard de Furnival, in Bestoire d’Amour, referred to the unicorn as “symbolising the lover, beguiled by the virgin who represents his beloved”.
In his work on Mythical Beasts, John Cherry notes that where the unicorn is depicted in Medieval art “one cannot be sure whether it is the triumph of religious or secular love that is being celebrated. It is this ambiguity that makes the unicorn one of the most fascinating mythical beasts.”
Literature:
Awais-Dean, N., Bejewelled: Men and Jewellery in Tudor and Jacobean England, British Museum Press, pub. 2017.
Cherry, J., Mythical Beasts, British Museum Press, pub. 1995.
Condition Report
According to a PMI test on an XRF machine the gold is testing as 21ct. Some general surface wear, but in overall fine condition, detail still crisp. Bezel measures 12mm diameter. Gross weight 15.3gm.
---
Provenance: From a private family collection, circa 1970, and thence by family descent.
The Medieval French inscription ‘le voyr’ or ‘le voir’ translates as ‘see it/him’, probably alluding to the unicorn.
Whilst a titled gentleman’s signet ring bore his family crest or coat of arms, by the late Medieval and post Medieval periods, signet rings were in wider use often engraved with para-heraldic devices.
“The image graven on the bezel needed only to be a visual representation or device of an individual; something that was enough to create a distinctive, identifiable sign... Many rings with non heraldic devices attempt in part to make reference to true heraldry... This could in turn elevate a man’s status socially and this was one means of defining his masculinity”. (Awais-Dean, N.)
Of all the mythical beasts, the unicorn is one of the most elusive and secretive: its essential characteristics being the single horn, the magical quality of repelling poison, its fierceness and fleetness of foot and its ability to elude capture. They are said to represent purity, innocence and truth. In the Middle Ages the unicorn was sometimes used to symbolise the death and sacrifice of Christ, whilst in the 13th century a more romantic imagery was popular: Richard de Furnival, in Bestoire d’Amour, referred to the unicorn as “symbolising the lover, beguiled by the virgin who represents his beloved”.
In his work on Mythical Beasts, John Cherry notes that where the unicorn is depicted in Medieval art “one cannot be sure whether it is the triumph of religious or secular love that is being celebrated. It is this ambiguity that makes the unicorn one of the most fascinating mythical beasts.”
Literature:
Awais-Dean, N., Bejewelled: Men and Jewellery in Tudor and Jacobean England, British Museum Press, pub. 2017.
Cherry, J., Mythical Beasts, British Museum Press, pub. 1995.
Condition Report
According to a PMI test on an XRF machine the gold is testing as 21ct. Some general surface wear, but in overall fine condition, detail still crisp. Bezel measures 12mm diameter. Gross weight 15.3gm.
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A unicorn gold seal ring, 15th - 16th century, the heavy ring with round bezel intaglio carved with a unicorn restant within a corded border, the interior of the band inscribed in Medieval French gothic script ‘Le voyr’, weight 15.3gm, ring size Q. £8,000-£10,000
---
Provenance: From a private family collection, circa 1970, and thence by family descent.
The Medieval French inscription ‘le voyr’ or ‘le voir’ translates as ‘see it/him’, probably alluding to the unicorn.
Whilst a titled gentleman’s signet ring bore his family crest or coat of arms, by the late Medieval and post Medieval periods, signet rings were in wider use often engraved with para-heraldic devices.
“The image graven on the bezel needed only to be a visual representation or device of an individual; something that was enough to create a distinctive, identifiable sign... Many rings with non heraldic devices attempt in part to make reference to true heraldry... This could in turn elevate a man’s status socially and this was one means of defining his masculinity”. (Awais-Dean, N.)
Of all the mythical beasts, the unicorn is one of the most elusive and secretive: its essential characteristics being the single horn, the magical quality of repelling poison, its fierceness and fleetness of foot and its ability to elude capture. They are said to represent purity, innocence and truth. In the Middle Ages the unicorn was sometimes used to symbolise the death and sacrifice of Christ, whilst in the 13th century a more romantic imagery was popular: Richard de Furnival, in Bestoire d’Amour, referred to the unicorn as “symbolising the lover, beguiled by the virgin who represents his beloved”.
In his work on Mythical Beasts, John Cherry notes that where the unicorn is depicted in Medieval art “one cannot be sure whether it is the triumph of religious or secular love that is being celebrated. It is this ambiguity that makes the unicorn one of the most fascinating mythical beasts.”
Literature:
Awais-Dean, N., Bejewelled: Men and Jewellery in Tudor and Jacobean England, British Museum Press, pub. 2017.
Cherry, J., Mythical Beasts, British Museum Press, pub. 1995.
Condition Report
According to a PMI test on an XRF machine the gold is testing as 21ct. Some general surface wear, but in overall fine condition, detail still crisp. Bezel measures 12mm diameter. Gross weight 15.3gm.
---
Provenance: From a private family collection, circa 1970, and thence by family descent.
The Medieval French inscription ‘le voyr’ or ‘le voir’ translates as ‘see it/him’, probably alluding to the unicorn.
Whilst a titled gentleman’s signet ring bore his family crest or coat of arms, by the late Medieval and post Medieval periods, signet rings were in wider use often engraved with para-heraldic devices.
“The image graven on the bezel needed only to be a visual representation or device of an individual; something that was enough to create a distinctive, identifiable sign... Many rings with non heraldic devices attempt in part to make reference to true heraldry... This could in turn elevate a man’s status socially and this was one means of defining his masculinity”. (Awais-Dean, N.)
Of all the mythical beasts, the unicorn is one of the most elusive and secretive: its essential characteristics being the single horn, the magical quality of repelling poison, its fierceness and fleetness of foot and its ability to elude capture. They are said to represent purity, innocence and truth. In the Middle Ages the unicorn was sometimes used to symbolise the death and sacrifice of Christ, whilst in the 13th century a more romantic imagery was popular: Richard de Furnival, in Bestoire d’Amour, referred to the unicorn as “symbolising the lover, beguiled by the virgin who represents his beloved”.
In his work on Mythical Beasts, John Cherry notes that where the unicorn is depicted in Medieval art “one cannot be sure whether it is the triumph of religious or secular love that is being celebrated. It is this ambiguity that makes the unicorn one of the most fascinating mythical beasts.”
Literature:
Awais-Dean, N., Bejewelled: Men and Jewellery in Tudor and Jacobean England, British Museum Press, pub. 2017.
Cherry, J., Mythical Beasts, British Museum Press, pub. 1995.
Condition Report
According to a PMI test on an XRF machine the gold is testing as 21ct. Some general surface wear, but in overall fine condition, detail still crisp. Bezel measures 12mm diameter. Gross weight 15.3gm.
Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu
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