By far the finest Stuart Crystal ring we've ever had: a clear skull and crossbones lays over a ground of plaited hair. It's not unusual to see skulls decorating rings from this period, but usually they're damaged, faded, or otherwise hard to see. This one's immaculate. Perhaps even more exciting: engraved on the inside of the 22k band are the words “Remember me Tho I am gon”. A twisted gold wire cypher - perhaps the initials CR - commemorate the death of someone who died “obt 31 Aug 1715 Ata:81”. The (intact!) enamel on the underside, the rose cut rock crystal, the cypher, the decoration overall - all elements are typical of Stuart era jewelry design. But if you want to get technical about it, this ring was actually made during the first year of the Georgian era. Queen Anne, the last Stuart monarch, died in 1714 and the throne immediately passed to George 1. As we know, though, fashions don't change overnight. It took quite a while for the distinctive Georgian style of jewelry to evolve.
thedetails
- Materials
22k gold (tests), rose cut rock crystal, gold thread cipher CR (?) over ground pf plaited hair and skull
- Age
Dedicated in 1715
- Condition
Very good - has retained most of the original enamel fluting on the underside of the head; very minor surface wear
- Size
6.5, cannot be resized; 1.16cm x 1.3cm head, 2.5mm shank
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Aboutthe
StuartEra
1603 — 1714
A new era dawned when Queen Elizabeth — the last Tudor monarch — died without an heir. The monarchy was temporarily displaced by the Commonwealth of England from 1649 to 1660 by Oliver Cromwell, but was restored — aka "The Restoration" — as Charles II was invited to take the throne. His father, Charles I, had been beheaded in 1649, and most of the jewelry we see from this period was at least stylistically related to this controversial political event. During this time, discoveries and innovations transformed England and Scotland, which were conjoined after a long period of feuding. Coffee became a new trendy beverage, with 600 coffeehouses in London all catering to a different type of clientele. This imported novelty beverage was possible because of the UK's rapidly expanding worldwide trade network. Not yet interested in acquiring territories, the island nation focused instead on making a fortune exporting wool and importing goods like slaves, sugar, and tea. Everyone (except the enslaved people, of course) benefited from the new merchant class that arose, and in the process the Royal Navy became the most powerful in the world. The look of London changed, too — after the Great Fire of 1666, Christopher Wren was hired to rebuild the city's damaged churches, with his greatest accomplishment being St. Paul's Cathedral.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.