Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu

An 18th century gold seal ring, the circular bezel engraved with the arms of the family of Grenville, a shield with green quarter panels and a central cross of silver bearing five red roundels (vert on a cross argent, five torteaux). a helmet placed above the shield with a sheaf of corn as the crest, an inscription around reads ‘Sigillum georg de grenvil’, diameter 23cm, ring size approximately T.









£6,000-£8,000

This ring was found in May 2023 near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire by metal detectorist Tom Clark. The ring was not deemed to be treasure as it is less than 300 years old. The close proximity of the find spot to the residence of George Grenville’s eldest son suggests that he may have lost the ring, rather than his father. The ring has been resized with a larger band, with evidence of re-engraving to some details in the family arms. Using a PMI test on the XRF analysis, the seal is testing as gold purity of 88.52% whilst the band is testing as gold purity of 97.07%. The ring was clearly an important family heirloom passing from father to son.

The Right Honourable George Grenville was born 14 October 1712 and died 13 November 1770. George was the member of Parliament for Buckingham from 1741-70 and was Prime Minister between 16 April 1763 - 10 July 1765. He tried to reduce Britain’s growing debt by raising revenue in the American colonies. This was to help towards the cost of the previous Seven Year War between France and Britain by introducing the Sugar Act, the Currency Act and the Stamp Act. These new laws were strongly objected to by the colonists and stirred up protest in America, causing Grenville to be dismissed by George III. The Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, but concerns over taxation ultimately led to the American Revolutionary war of 1775-1783. George Grenville’s eldest son, also called George, was born in 1753 and followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a member of Parliament for Buckingham. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and was given the title of Marquess of Buckingham. He died in 1813.