Can anyone identify?

[SilverFox]

Happy Saturday everyone.
Would you know how I find out the origin of this seal ring, I am interested in finding out the year, who the seal would have belonged to and anything else about it. It's very heavy 41gramms of 18ct gold and the ring size is M.
Thank you x

[wilhenri]

Hi there I venture to suggest this is of Scottish origin and is a Scottish Lion as per this photo.. Possibly a Scottish Crown as well. Whatever it is its seriously nice.

[KC]

I like how Wilhenri put that "seriously nice". 

It is a REALLY NICE signet ring!  recognize that lion (I am from Scottish background from dad's side and it is in our family crest).

Can you tell us if the "brown" is an enameling on the ring or if it is an inset of stone?

Also, is this the original box or one it was added to?  If original, any markings?

[SilverFox]

Hello KC and Wilhenri.
Thank you so much for your kind messages. The ring is full solid gold, no stone or insets, sorry I think that's the way it looks with a shadow on the picture. I have added another one with a side view, I hope this helps.
It was something that my husband found at a boot sale about 10 years ago.

[wilhenri]

Well its not just seriously nice its STUNNING. Lucky man to find that and to actually buy it. There is a lot of money there, the sort of thing one does not sell unless your back is against the wall. If it was mine I would buy sealing wax and use it whenever I wrote a letter...... I have a family seal and I do just that so why not

[SilverFox]

Thank you Wilhenri. It is something that we really love and that's a good idea I think we will use it. We won't be selling it any time soon, unless desperate or we get a stupidly amazing offer!!  Our plan next is to try and find out the age of it but we don't know where to start , hopefully someone here might have some ideas.

[KC]

Wish I could see it better! 

Would actually be better if you tried using it as a seal and we could see the reverse!

[wilhenri]

Is it not Hallmarked ? If its gold 18ct and made in the UK at that weight unless it is very  old it will carry hallmarks. One of the marks should be a date letter and another a Makers/Sponsors mark. Start here for an explanation then see how you go..  If we can help we will.http://www.thomas-skipton.co.uk/Hallmarks.htm. 

[SilverFox]

I will try KC to get some wax and show you the inprint. Probably next week now.
Wilhenri, we have had it tested with the metal testing gun as 18ct gold but there is no hallmark. I guess it was made before hallmarks or for some reason it just wasn't hallmarked. It does have a couple of marks on the inside but I can't decipher them it doesn't look like a hallmark though.

[wilhenri]

Ok 1798 was the first hallmarking act for gold in the uk but of course many countries do not employ this system or any system and rely on simple testing as you have had done. May even been made in the mid to far east for someone by a local goldsmith.  Lets hope we learn more

[Ipcress]

Wouldn't be certain it's a seal ring but simply represents a family, business or society which uses / used a lion rampant in it's crest. Probably to be worn by the sitting chairman or head of whichever group it represents.

It's certainly impressive and worth more than it's weight in gold.

[greenacres]

Renault used that symbol in 1898. Is there an R. A. C. anywhere? It was a car club back then along with Renault.

[KC]

I believe it was Peugeot that used the rampant lion but not like this.

I just wish I could see the details of the lion better.  Is his tongue sticking out?  or breathing fire?

Could be Scottish but is also used often with German heraldry.

[greenacres]

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ufe05.html
Scroll down. There maybe more info on this site.

[wilhenri]

OK both on one post.      and before some smartarse says but its a different colour lol  I know ...