A cool antique 18K gold signet ring made in Birmingham in 1914 by Deakin & Francis. The face of the ring features an enamelled skull which has been added later. The inside of the ring is engraved with the date '27. Nov. 1915’.

Here the skull represents ‘memento mori’, a Latin phrase meaning ‘remember death’. A rather stark reminder for the wearer to cherish each day and live life to the fullest because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

UK size M 1/2, US size 6.5

The ring weighs 3.89 grams and is fully hallmarked and tested for 18K gold.

The oval face of the ring measures 1cm north to south.

Deakin & Francis is a well-known British manufacturer of jeweller that has been active since 1786.

The Edwardian era of jewellery, named after King Edward VII, spanned from 1901 to 1910, although stylistically it is often extended through to 1914. Edwardian jewellery was characterised by a move away from the large and ostentatious jewellery pieces of the Victorian era towards smaller and more refined pieces. Delicate and feminine designs were popular, featuring lace-like filigree work and floral motifs. Platinum became increasingly popular as a metal of choice and the use of colour in jewellery decreased, with the focus on the brilliance of diamonds and the elegance of pearls. The pieces were light, intricate, and eminently elegant, and are perfect for anyone looking for a touch of refined glamour.

DELIVERY

We are pleased to offer free worldwide shipping on all our orders. We dispatch all items via a secure and trackable delivery service providing full insurance for your item. You will receive a shipping confirmation email after purchase with your tracking number so that you know your order is on its way. We aim to dispatch all items within 1-2 working days after payment has been received.

For UK delivery, we send with Royal Mail Special Delivery, arriving by the next working day. For International orders over £1000 we use DHL Express International, and for orders under £1000 we use Royal Mail International Tracked and Signed. All items are sent fully insured.

You can find more information about our shipping policy here.

RETURNS

We understand that purchasing antique jewellery online can be a daunting task, which is why we offer an easy, no-hassle returns policy. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply get in touch within 14 days of receipt for a full refund, no questions asked. We want our customers to feel confident when buying from us, and our returns policy is just one way we ensure this.

Conditions: Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. All items are to be returned in their original condition and packaging. Buyer damaged items and items bought on layaway are ineligible for returns. Items over £2500 can be returned for store credit only.

You can find more information about our returns policy here.