Lot 112
An 18th century Queen Anne supporters ring Y
£2,520
Auction: Jewellery | 19-413 | 04 December from 10am
Description
The oval portrait miniature on ivory depicting Queen Anne, in a simple mount with scalloped back, the shank with graduated beaded detail to shoulders, unmarked
Dimensions
Footnote
As the final Stuart monarch, the passing of Queen Anne marked the end of a Royal dynasty, but also saw the last flourish in what have become known as ‘Stuart Crystal’ jewels.
Following the execution for treason of her grandfather, Charles I, Royalist supporters took to wearing coded declarations of their loyalties; in Cromwell’s Commonwealth this was a dangerous position to take, and so these declarations had to be subtle. Rings or pendants, with braided hair or gold wire worked into initials or motifs were set under polished rock-crystals. While initially these were statements of political or social allegiances, principally lamenting the death of Charles I and then supporting the restoration of his son in 1660; the style was quickly adapted to reflect personal tokens of love and mourning for the individual in a depoliticised context.
The passing of Queen Anne precipitated the first Jacobite uprising, and while Stuart crystal jewels contemporary to this cause are rare (again it was a dangerous allegiance to be found supporting), the popularity of the Stuart crystal jewel seems to have waned with the passing of Anne, and the subsequent failure of the Jacobite cause.
This particular ring depicts Anne in a pearl necklace with hints of a blue dress and ermine trim, suggest it may have been taken from a portrait following her ascension to the throne. As her succession and reign between 1702 – 1714 was less controversial than many of her forebears, and she was a popular monarch by the standards of her day, there was little need for the wearing of hidden tokens of loyalty on the part of her supporters, This jewel is more likely a token of thanks or appreciation given by the monarch or her court, or a touching memorial commissioned at the time of her death.
Stuart crystal jewels occupy a small, but none-the-less important position in the cannon of British jewellery history, and rare, good examples are actively sought after when they appear at auction. A recent example, lot 331 in Lyon & Turnbull’s 2023 Scottish Works of Art & Whisky Auction, commemorating the dead of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, enclosing a locket of her hair and dated to 1650 reached £5,292 (inc. premium).
Note: Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference ZEBKGDD8
Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/
