17th century enamel hoop

A rare high carat gold hoop, circa 1650 – 1680, densely enamelled on the obverse with colourful flowers, trailing plants with curvilinear stems, a salamander and a parrot. Salamanders in particular seemed to have held a special place in the visual and decorative arts of the 17th century and were considered to have prophylactic benefits. This type of enamel decoration is evident on pieces in the Cheapside Hoard.  Obviously a love token, the ring is engraved to interior with the initials AB and a hand enclosing hearts. It is size K and 1/2 [US 5 and 3/8]. Due to the damage done to relief enamelling when in use, this ring, with this amount of enamel still intact, is a very rare survival. For similar 17th century enamel rings, see catalogue entries 195, 196 and 227 in Scarisbrick’s Historic Rings.

sold

similar examples below in Historic Rings