A superb, scarce Finnish antique 18K gold ring that was made in Helsinki in the year 1854. The oval carnelian coat of arms intaglio is set in a large intricate gold repoussé work mount featuring scrolled foliate motifs. Incredibly, thanks to a full set of Finnish hallmarks, as well as from the intaglio carving itself, we can identify who commissioned and wore this superb seal ring.

The coat of arms engraved into the carnelian gemstone is that of the Klinckowström family, an old Prussian noble house whose members played prominent roles in the history of Prussia, Sweden, Finland and Austria. The family was granted nobility in Sweden in 1684 by King Charles XI, and then received the rank of baron in 1759 from King Adolf Frederick. The baronial branch was listed in the Finnish House of Nobility (Ritarihuone) from 1818 until the family line ended in Finland in 1883.

This baronial element can also be seen in the engraved coat of arms from the specific type of coronet used, it is set with pearls and known as a ‘Friherrlig rangkrona’, the coronet for Baron. The hallmarks tell us that this ring was made in Helsinki in the year 1854. Accordingly, the ring must have been made for a Baron (male) of the Klinckowström family, present and active in Finland during the mid-19th century. After researching into the genealogial records, only one member of the family settled in Finland, which was Baron Otto Wilhelm Klinkowström (1778-1850), and this ring would have been commissioned by his son Baron Arthur Wilhelm Wilhelmsson Klinckowström, shortly after his father’s passing. The ring would have been made in used to seal deeds and important letters in wax regarding family affairs.

Arthur had two sons. Emil and Alexander who carried on the baronial title until 1883, when the family line ended on the male side. Although the time period of this ring also matches up with his both his sons, according to heraldry records they both carried a slightly different coat of arms.

Arthur, the owner of this ring enrolled in the House of Knights in Finland aged 17 and soon after received the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He spent the remainder of his years in various senior military positions, such as Lieutenant Colonel of the Finnish Sharpshooter Battalion and Colonel of the Kremenchugska Hunter Regiment. He passed away in 1860, not long after his father, which may explain why this ring is in such excellent condition with minimal signs of usage.

His father, Baron Otto Wilhelm Klinkowström (1778-1850) was a Swedish lieutenant general who later moved to Finland, where he immediately found favour with Czar Alexander I of Russia and became chamberlain, privy councilor and then senator  between 1825 and 1847. He was a prolific art collector and part of his collection was transferred to the Finnish Art Association and is currently owned by the State Art Museum, with many works exhibited at the Sinebrychoff Art Museum in Helsinki. The collection consisted of landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and mythological and religious paintings. One of the most significant works in the collection is Lucas Cranach 's Portrait of a Young Woman (1525). Other notable works include Dirck van Delen 's Church Interior (1642) and Hieronymus Francken II 's Art Friends in the Gallery.

He was summarise in Aurora Karamzin's biography as “both an adventurer and a grand seigneur, both an unworthy scoundrel and a courtier, and therefore a splendid companion and a lovable flirt, beautiful, sensual and witty - but utterly devoid of character and all notions of chastity."

Arthur’s paternal grandfather, Baron Thure Leonard Klinkowström boasts an even more impressive resume. After inheriting the title of baron following his fathers death, he went on to become Chancellor and Chamberlain in 1764. Working closely with the Royal Court he became the Chief Court Marshal to Queen Sofia Magdalena, the same year he was also appointed president of the Wismar Tribunal. Later he was anointed Lord of the Realm and Chief Court Marshal to the new Queen Frederika.

UK size U, US size 10

The makers mark C.W.T. stands for Carl Wictor Terttullianus Talén, a goldsmith who worked in Helsinki from 1846 to 1861.

The Finnish date mark (W2) is 1854. In earlier times the letters V and W were interchangeable.

Intaglio measures 18mm x 15mm. The mount is hollow and the ring weighs 8.81g in total. The ring is in excellent condition despite age, one very hairline cracks to the inside of band, however it does not impact wear or structural integrity at all.

Repoussé refers to a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief.