PREVIEW: JEWELLERY, WATCHES, SILVER & OBJECTS OF VERTU: 11 JUNE

A rare 18th century gold seal ring thought to have belonged to British Prime Minister George Grenville and discovered by a metal detectorist just a year ago is a highlight of this auction.

The Right Honourable George Grenville (1712-70) served as Prime Minister from 16 April 1763 to 10 July 1765 and was notable for provoking unrest among the American colonies that soon led to the American War of Independence.

Grenville decided to tax the colonies to reduce Britain’s growing debt and pay off the costs of the recent previous Seven Year War with France. He introduced the Sugar Act, the Currency Act and the Stamp Act, all of which caused resentment in the colonies.

The Stamp Act, in particular, raised colonists’ wrath, as they argued that it breached the British Constitution since it had been forced on them against their will and without them having a say on the matter in Parliament. It led to the celebrated maxim: “No taxation without representation”.

Although the Act was later repealed, the dispute continued after the British Parliament immediately introduced the Declaratory Act, which confirmed Parliament’s sovereignty over the colonies, and its right to legislate over them.

While George III dismissed Grenville in response to his insensitive dealings with America, it was too late to prevent rebellion, and within a decade the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) had begun.

The ring, found in May 2023 near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire by metal detectorist Tom Clark, 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, rather than his father, may have lost the ring.

The ring has survived in excellent condition. It has a circular bezel engraved with the arms of the family of Grenville, of Wotton Underwood and Stow, in the county of Buckinghamshire; 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 has a sheaf of corn as the crest, and the surrounding inscription reads ‘Sigillum georg de grenvil’.

The ring has been resized with a larger shank 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%, clearing indicating that the ring was later enlarged, the likelihood being that it was resized for George Grenville’s eldest son. The ring was clearly an important family heirloom passing from father to son.

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.

The seal ring is estimated to fetch £6,000-£8,000.

The Grenville ring is not the only historically important piece in the auction. A wonderfully decorative and well-preserved George III Grant of Arms gives George Potter of Pole, Cheshire, the right to bear the arms and name of Eaton. Presented on vellum, signed by Isaac Heard, Garter Principal King of Arms and by George Harrison, Norroy King of Arms, 1789, with two seals appended, each in japanned skippet, it comes in a red leather covered fitted box stamped with repeating crowned royal cyphers, the gilt metal mounted seal with accompanying boxed wax impression. The guide is £300-400.

Numerous pieces of exceptional jewellery grace the catalogue, with leading highlights ranging from a sapphire and diamond ‘Doppio Cuore’necklace, ring and ear clips by Bulgari pitched at £20,000-30,000 and an emerald and diamond necklace, ring and earring suite by Peter Kirkebæk for Halberstadt, at £18,000-24,000, to a pair of diamond ear studs by Graff at £15,000-20,000.