Tudor period silver memento mori ring "Die to live"

Code: 11222

This is a rare Tudor memento mori ring, dating to the 16th century. The bezel in the form of an incurved hexagon containing in the centre a skull. Surrounded by the inscription DIE TO LIVE and foliate motifs in the corner of the hexagon. The band of the ring is a thin hoop with scrolled shoulders. Similar memento mori rings have been recorded from Ansley (WMID-9318D6), Suffolk (CAM-49BF57) and the Isle of Wight (IOW-6A11D0). This is an excellent example in wearable condition.

OBJECT: Finger Ring

CULTURE: Tudor

DATE: c. 1500 - 1650 A.D.

MATERIAL: Silver

RING SIZE: 8 3/4  (US)    R 1/4 (UK)

SIZE: 19.84mm x 21.67mm x 1.91mm (bezel 13.47mm x 16.75mm x 1.32mm)

WEIGHT: 3.78 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a Private Collection, Gloucestershire.