A large, heavy gold Irish noble signet ring, set with a carnelian intaglio depicting the coat of arms of the aristocratic Cole family. The stone would have originally been set into a large fob or desk seal, to be used for sealing deeds and important letters in wax, and dates from the early 19th century. It shows a full Cole family coat of arms with a crest depicting a dragon holding an arrow, as well as the family motto “Deus Cole Regem Serva”. This branch of the Cole family are Irish aristocrats, with the eldest born male members of the 18th and 19th centuries carrying the title “Earl of Enniskillen”. 

The engraved carnelian stone is set in an open-backed signet mount, the underside decorated with rays that emanate from the centre, a typical design of the late 18th to early 19th centuries. 

According to the earliest available records, the Cole family originally hailed from Devon (England) and were made Barons in Ulster (Ireland) by James I in the 13th century. In the 1789, the family title changed from Baron to Earl with William Cole the 1st Earl of Enniskillen. The family lived in Florence Court, a large 18th-century house and estate near Enniskillen, now part of the National Trust.

The seal would have been made one of the first three Earls of Enniskillen - either Earl William Cole (1736-1803), Earl John Cole (1768-1840) or Earl William Cole (1807-1886) - and based upon the date of the seal (early 19th century) it would best match up to be made for John Willoughby Cole, the 2nd Earl of Enniskillen. 

The family motto “Deum Cole, Regum Serva” is Latin for "Honour God, Serve the King". Since the family name is also Cole, it is a rare example of a pun within a family motto!

UK size S 1/2, US size 9.25

Carnelian measures 28mm x 22mm. The ring weighs 15 grams in total. The gold is unmarked but tests as 14K gold. There are some losses to the edges of the carnelian stone which have been filled in with a type of resin. The ring is in good, wearable condition. 

A golden age for jewellery design, boasting intricate designs inspired by nature and classical mythology. The style reflects the elegance and refinement of the 18th century with the use of diamonds, pastes and intricately worked Rococo settings.

Georgian jewellery is named after the four King Georges of England, an era which lasted from 1714 to 1837. Pieces of Georgian jewellery are handmade works of art, expertly crafted to be treasured for generations. They often used rose-cut and flat-cut stones with large facets that were often foiled to enhance their natural beauty. These pieces were reserved mainly for the aristocratic upper classes, with each piece individually crafted by a highly skilled hand.

DELIVERY

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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.

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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.