Antique Seljuk ‘Selçuklu’ Period Gold Islamic Medieval Signet Ring 11th-13th C

This incredible gold ring dates from the 12th century Seljuk dynasty. The carnelian intaglio is set within a typical Seljuk tapered rectangular bezel with a four-pronged gold setting...

A superb Islamic gold and agate ring dating from the 13th to 14th century. The brown ‘sheep’s eye’ agate cabochon sits within a truncated conical bezel with a four-pronged setting soldered to the outside, typical of Seljuk dynasty rings. In the space between the prongs, the bezel is engraved with various zoomorphic motifs. These engravings continue down the tapered, flat shank and each shoulder is decorated with a splayed bird. This animal based ornamentation was most commonly found on Seljuk rings towards the end of the empire (13th-14th century). For similar referenced examples of Seljuk rings see pages 55-69 in ‘Islamic Rings...

A large antique English Georgian era gentleman’s gold signet ring, circa 1830. In the centre there is a flat-cut and bezel-set octagonal carneli...

A very unusual antique gold ring set with a carved brown and white hardstone cameo depicting the theatrical comic mask of Silenus, the Greek mythological old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. The ring was made in the late 19th century and carries French control marks for 18K gold, whilst the cameo is probably Italian and made slightly earlier, circa 1800. Silenus was a companion to the wine god Dionysus, and suitably he was a notorious consumer of wine, usually drunk and supported by satyrs or carried by a donkey. Silenus was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysus, and was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when intoxicated. He presides over the other satyrs and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy and drunken dances. Silenus was usually depicted as a jovial old man, bald yet bearded, with a pot-belly, thick lips and snub-nose. The masks worn to play him in theatre really emphasised these features, as you can see with this cameo carving Theatre was a key part of ancient Greek culture. The theatrical masks worn by the actors, known as ‘prosopon’, served various purposes. They enabled individual actors to play multiple roles (or genders) in the same performance; the exaggerated expressions helped define the character being portrayed; they helped spectators in the back rows to tell the characters apart. This particular masked as mentioned before is a comedic Silenus, please see final photo for other examples of Silenus masks in museum collections. UK size N 1/2, US size 7 4.84g 18K gold French ‘tête...

This rare heraldic silver intaglio signet ring dates from the late 17th century and originates from Western Europe. The flat, octagonal bezel is engraved with a noble family coat of arms depicting an eight pointed star. The silver ring is cast in one piece, the intaglio is framed within a chased octagonal border and the band displays flared and chamfered edges at the shoulders, all features typical of the period. After looking into heraldry archives, there are a few families in Western Europe which share this coat of arms, notably the Ambrogini family of Italy and the Counts of Waldeck, vassals of Luxembourg since the 14th century (see Ravensbury Antiques...

A superb and heavy solid 18K gold antique signet ring, made in 19th century Victorian England, circa 1890. The centrepiece of this substantial go...

Medieval iconographic ring. The central heart shaped bezel engraved with 'IHS' (a Christogram abbreviating Jesus Christ), with smoothly integrated tr...

Medieval garnet gold ring. Set with a rectangular faceted garnet in a closed back rubover setting, to a scalloped quatrefoil bezel, the smoothly integrated shoulders leading through ...

'Bossingham' Medieval garnet ring. Set to centre with a oval cabochon natural garnet in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight o...

Post Medieval signet ring. Composed of an oval plaque featuring a finely engraved image of a thistle with stalk and leaves, the initials 'LI' in engraved...

Medieval cabochon sapphire ring. Centrally set with an oval cabochon natural unenhanced sapphire in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 1.50 carats, to a rais...

Post Medieval gold fleur-de-lis signet ring. A heavy yellow gold signet ring, the central circular plaque engraved with a prominent fleur-de-lis motif and framed by incised beaded ed...