Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

An early 18th century memorial ring, the octagonal facetted ‘crystal’ bezel displaying gold thread monogram within scrolled border, in closed back collet setting, the reverse decorated with black and white enamel and inscribed ‘EL, 1723’, to scroll engraved shoulders and a plain band, ring size P. £400-£600

This ring once belonged to Lydia Phillips of Woodbury and passed thence by descent. Accompanying the ring is a photocopy of the diary of William Phillips, for 13th May 1855 detailing the deathbed wishes of his wife Lydia, in which she states: “ This I wish to give to my daughter Jane Mary: the silk dress her father brought me when in London to the exhibition, [...] and the gould [sic] ring marked E L Date 1723”.