Tudor ring, with an enamelled skull and the words ‘Memento Mori'

A Tudor ‘deaths head’ ring, with an enamelled skull and the words ‘Memento Mori’.

English, second half of the 16th century.

Ring size Q UK / 8 US.

The head of the ring measures 1.3 x 1.3mm.

The head of the ring is in the form of an engraved quatrefoil centred with an enamel skull, the words engraved to the surrounding border ‘Memento Mori’. The shoulders of the shank are decorated with Renaissance scrolls. The ring was at some point excavated and although there are losses, it retains traces of original enamel, however the top half of the enamel skull has been historically restored with cold enamels.

There is an unidentified maker's mark to the reverse.