A LARGE EARLY 17TH CENTURY SIGNET RING FOUND BY A METAL DETECTORIST IN SOMERSET TO BE SOLD AT NOONANS

An early 17th century gold signet ring with an oval bezel depicting of a red deer stag with five-pointed antlers being brought down by a slender hunting hound is estimated to fetch in the region of £15,000 in an auction of Jewellery at Noonans on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. It was discovered in Emborough, Somerset in October 2020 by metal detectorist Peter Faxholm, who lives six miles away in Wells [lot 109].

Peter, who is 48-years old and has been married for almost 20 years, is Head of Process for a large drinks company called Brothers Drinks, where they make cider in their own cider mill. He has been metal detecting for 21 years and before that studied for a degree in Archaeology, following in his father’s footsteps who was an archaeologist.

He recalls: “I am passionate about history and began metal detecting after fieldwalking with my father looking for Stone Age artefacts from the age of 7. This developed into a love of history, archaeology and ultimately metal detecting - it all stems from a fascination with our past, and what everyday objects can tell us about our ancestors.”

He continues: “It was early in the morning on a beautiful Autumnal day when I made the discovery with my XP Deus. It was my first visit to the field, and I was with a friend of mine who I regularly detect with; I had only been on the field for about 5 minutes when I discovered the ring and felt a mix of emotions - shock, surprise, elation. My hands were trembling as I knew what it was immediately.”

Peter continues to metal detect as a form of relaxation and intends to share the proceeds of the auction with the landowner and intends to invest his portion into his pop-up pizza business PTZA Handmade Pizza by Pete and hopes to convert a food truck!

He took the ring along to Noonans valuation day in Shaftesbury. As Laura Smith, Jewellery Specialist, Noonans notes: “We think that this lovely ring might be associated with a local gentleman called Gabrielle Hippisley, who was Equerry of the Hunt to Charles I. The Hippisley (Hippesely) family purchased the manor house at Whitnell in 1496, acquiring the manor at Ston Easton in 1544, the manor at Cameley in 1559, and the manor house at Emborough in 1570, combining all as one estate.”

She continued: “Gabriel Hippisley, born 1595, at Ston Easton and was appointed as an equerry of the hunt by the royal household responsible for horses used by the monarch for hunting. Although the Hippisley family were granted coat of arms in 1564, as the 10th son of John Hippisely III, it is possible that Gabriel may have chosen a more individual image for his signet ring to distinguish himself, reflecting instead the important role bestowed upon him by the King.”