Dated 1 January [1]709 AD. A D-section gold annular finger ring with floral and foliate ornament to outer surfaces showing traces of black enamel background; the inner face engraved in script 'Sr T Littleton Bar ob 1 Jan [1]709 aet 62' and with punched 'IB' maker's mark, possibly for the London maker J. Burridge who was active at this period. See Dictionary of National Biography, pp.1255-1256, for biographical summary; see Morant, P., The History and Antiquities of the County of Essex, Colchester, 1768, p.103; see Chancellor, F., The Ancient Sepulchral Monuments of Essex, London and Chelmsford, 1890, p.186, for details of his memorial and arms. 6.55 grams, 21.66mm overall, 17.84mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14) (1"). From the Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK; acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985; acquired at an antiques fair, believed to have been found in Essex, UK; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10956-179120. Sir Thomas Littleton, 3rd Baronet, Stoke St Milborough (Shropshire) and North Ockendon (Essex), also known as Sir Thomas Poyntz (or Pointz), circa 1647-1 January 1709 (Julian calendar or 1710 Gregorian calendar), was born as second son to the 2nd Baronet but, after the early death of his older brother, he inherited the title and attended St Edmund Hall, Oxford, matriculating in 1665 and entered the Inner Temple in 1671; he was elected to the Convention of 1689 for Woodstock and served as Member of Parliament for several seats until his death. In 1697 he became Lord of the Admiralty and had acted as pallbearer at the funeral of Samuel Pepys, his predecessor; in 1698 he was elected Speaker of the House of Commons, later becoming Treasurer to the Navy, a post he held until his death. Although married, he had no children and the title became extinct upon his death. His memorial may be seen to this day in the church of St Mary in North Ockendon, Essex and is described by Chancellor who also gives details of the combined arms of Sir Thomas as: quarterly 1 and 4, argent a chevron. between three escallops sable, 2 and 3 'Pointz', within a mullet sable for difference; overall the Badge of Baronetcy and an inescutcheon gules and chevron ermine between three garbs or. Crest a Moor's head in profile couped at the shoulder proper wreathed about the temples argent and sable and a copy of a contemporary engraved portrait is included, together with extracts from other documentary references. Published sources give the year of his death as either 1709 (as on this ring) or 1710; this results from the changeover from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian in 1752; under the Julian calendar, the new year occurred 1 March, giving his death taking place in 1709; from 1752, the new year was pushed back to 1 January, resulting in his death year becoming 1710 under the new calendar rules. ‘Posy’ is derived from ‘poesy’ or ‘poetry’. In the medieval period many rings bore posy inscriptions in Latin or French, the languages frequently spoken by the affluent elites. Later, inscriptions in English became more usual, although the lack of standardised spelling might surprise the modern reader. The inscription is generally found on the interior of the ring, hidden to everyone except the wearer and most of the sentimental mottoes were taken from the popular literature of the time. In fact, love inscriptions often repeat each other, which suggests that goldsmiths used stock phrases. In the later 16th century, ‘posy’ specifically meant a short inscription. A posy is described in contemporary literature as a short ‘epigram’ of less than one verse. George Puttenham (1589) explained that these phrases were not only inscribed on finger rings, but also applied to arms and trenchers. The practice of giving rings engraved with mottoes at betrothals or weddings was common in England from the 16th century onwards, and continued until the late 18th century. Sources suggest that rings could be acquired ready- engraved, or alternatively engraved sometime after their initial production, by a hand other than the goldsmith’s. Joan Evans assumed that posy rings were principally used by/between lovers and distinguished four contexts for the giving of posy rings by one lover to another: betrothals, weddings, St Valentine’s Day and occasions of mourning. Samuel Pepys’ diary makes clear that posy rings might also mark the marriage of a family member, when bearers could even commission their own rings and chose their own mottoes from books. The rings could also function as tokens of friendship or loyalty. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] [No Reserve] Fine condition.
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