A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-1
A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-2
A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-3
A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-4
A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-1A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-2A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-3A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori - image-4

Lot 30 Dα

A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori

Auction 1066 - overview Cologne
19.05.2016, 17:00 - Jewellery and Watches
Estimate: 6.000 € - 8.000 €
Result: 31.000 € (incl. premium)

A rare gold, enamel, ruby and diamond "gimmel" ring with memento mori

Formed from two connected bands decorated with relief and enamels throughout, the bezels set with two rubies and two diamonds. The bands pull apart to reveal the miniature figures of a baby and a skeleton to their interiors. Partial losses to the enamel. 1.7 x 1.6 cm. Ring size 57. Weight 17.2 g.
Possibly early 17th C.

The term "gimmel" is derived from the Latin word "gemelli", meaning twins, and is used to describe two connected eternity rings symbolising the insolubility of marriage. This type of ring was particularly popular during the Renaissance era, but continued to be used well into the 17th century. Memento mori rings like the present work symbolising the beginning and the end of life, are very rare.

Literature

Cf. further examples in: Scarisbrick, Rings, London 2007, no. 97; exhib. cat.: The Rings from the Hashimoto Collection of the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo 2014, no. 220.