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18CT GOLD, ENAMEL AND ROCK CRYSTAL MOURNING RING, CIRCA 1701
Centring a gold wire crown motif, encased under a panel of faceted rock crystal, to a decorative mount and shoulders detailed with black and white enamel, inside shank inscribed 'JR, Ob. Sept 6, 1701, AETA: 68'
size E, gross weight approximately 2.6 grams.
The presence of both the crown motif and the ‘JR' inscription strongly suggests that this ring was produced in commemoration of James II of England and VII of Scotland. While the precise date of his death is not inscribed, the proximity of the given date, together with the age of death, perhaps rounded from 67 to 68, given his birth on 14 October, supports the possibility that the piece was commissioned either for a member of the royal family or for a close adherent of James II's exiled court. Beyond its immediate function as a mourning jewel, the ring would have served as a discreet yet eloquent declaration of loyalty to the Stuart cause and a sustained endorsement of their dynastic claim. A related example is preserved in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number M.21-1929.
Sold for $3,200
Lot 226
Centring a gold wire crown motif, encased under a panel of faceted rock crystal, to a decorative mount and shoulders detailed with black and white enamel, inside shank inscribed 'JR, Ob. Sept 6, 1701, AETA: 68'
size E, gross weight approximately 2.6 grams.
The presence of both the crown motif and the ‘JR' inscription strongly suggests that this ring was produced in commemoration of James II of England and VII of Scotland. While the precise date of his death is not inscribed, the proximity of the given date, together with the age of death, perhaps rounded from 67 to 68, given his birth on 14 October, supports the possibility that the piece was commissioned either for a member of the royal family or for a close adherent of James II's exiled court. Beyond its immediate function as a mourning jewel, the ring would have served as a discreet yet eloquent declaration of loyalty to the Stuart cause and a sustained endorsement of their dynastic claim. A related example is preserved in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number M.21-1929.
Estimate $800 - $1,200
Fine Jewels
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8798
6:00pm - 20 October 2025
Hawthorn
VIEWING
BNE: Sat 4 Oct, 10am - 4pm, 54 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe
SYD: Fri 10 - Sun 12 Oct, 10am - 4pm, The Bond, 36-40 Queen Street,
Woollahra
ADE: Wed 15 Oct, 12pm - 6pm, 429 Pulteney St, Adelaide
MEL: Fri 17 - Sun 19 Oct, 10am - 4pm, 2 Oxley Rd, Hawthorn
CONTACT
Bethany McGougan
bethany.mcgougan@leonardjoel.com.au