Gold, 1.18 grams; 18.08 mm. Internal 15.96 mm, US size 6; UK size L. Circa 16th century AD. A rare clasped hands love ring inscribed with + I x AM x YOURS in Roman capitals, the cross before the inscription is most probably a maker’s mark. The detail of the hands and cuffs are exceptional with the style being true to life rather than stylized as is the case with most rings of this type. Ref: British Rings 800-1914 by Charles Oman; page 109, plate 54. Clasped hands represent Concordia, the Roman goddess of agreement, understanding and marital harmony. Used by the Romans and for centuries after this image was very much in favor during the middle ages as a tribute to marriage. An extremely rare religious ring in extremely fine condition. Found early 1990's, ex Crawford collection.

Bronze, 48.56 grams; 65.28 mm. Circa 1580 AD. A stunning Elizabethan statuette capturing a standing male figure, probably a young impression of Sir Walter Riley. This piece has been cast in the finest of detail with all the features being very sharp. In fall Elizabethan dress with blooming shorts and neck collar this is a true work of art of the finest grade. Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. Little is known for certain of his early life, though he spent some time in Ireland, in Killuagh castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath, taking part in the suppression of rebellions and participating in two infamous massacres at Rathlin Island and Smerwick, later becoming a landlord of lands confiscated from the Irish. He rose rapidly in Queen Elizabeth I's favour, being knighted in 1585, and was involved in the early English colonisation of the New World in Virginia under a royal patent. In 1591 he secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, without requesting the Queen's permission, for which he and his wife were sent to the Tower of London. After his release they retired to his estate at Sherborne, Dorset. In 1594 Raleigh heard of a "Golden City" in South America and sailed to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributed to the legend of El Dorado. After Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, Raleigh was again imprisoned in the Tower, this time for allegedly being involved in the Main Plot against King James I who was not favourably disposed toward him. In 1616, however, he was released in order to conduct a second expedition in search of El Dorado. This was unsuccessful and the Spanish outpost at San Thomé was ransacked by men under his command. After his return to England he was arrested and after a show trial held mainly to appease the Spanish, he was beheaded at Whitehall. Excessively rare and in extremely fine condition. Found Warberswick, Suffolk.

Copper alloy, 9.78 grams; 38.34 mm. Circa 1600 A.D. A large pipe bowl with an interesting and unusual shape. The inhaling projection, which terminates in an octagonal flange with a suspension loop below, would have been fixed to a long pipe stem made of bone. Extremely fine condition. Found Essex.

Bronze, 70 grams; 110.06 mm. 16th Century, a well made pair of Nut or Seed Crackers made for small nuts from old indigenous English trees, not the large tropical varieties available today. Extremely Fine condition. Decorated and in full working order. Amazing piece of domestic history.

Copper alloy, 5.51 grams; 32.18 mm. Circa 16th Century A.D. An elongated circular mount, in the centre are heraldic devices, a double headed eagle embellishes a square top shield, itself surmounted by a knights great helmet, with a lion's head crest above. Flanking either side are tapering curtains of floral spray. Extremely Fine condition.

Copper alloy, 5.28 grams; 33.64 mm. Circa 16/17th Century A.D. These rosaries, especially the smaller ring-type, have since become known as soldiers' rosaries, because they were often taken into battle by soldiers. These single-decade Rosary variations can be worn as a ring or carried easily and are still popular. A rosary ring is a ring worn around the finger with 10 indentations and a cross on the surface, representing one decade of a rosary. This is often worn as jewelry, and used through the day. Some ring Rosaries use a small bearing on the inside of the ring to permit easy turning. A finger Rosary is similar to a ring, but is a bit larger. Rosaries like these are used by either rotating or just holding them between a finger and thumb while praying. A hand Rosary is a decade in a complete loop, with one bead separated from ten other beads, this is meant to be carried while walking or running, so as not to entangle the larger type. Credit card-sized Rosaries have also appeared, especially among members of militaries, where holes or bumps represent the prayers and the persons praying move their fingers along the bumps to count prayers. Unfinished possibly because between 1540 - 1731 A.D. it was illegal to attend a Roman catholic mass or harbour a priest. The punishment which was strictly enforced was death! Recorded with Yorkshire Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Copper alloy, 49.76 grams; 90.99 mm. 16th Century, a well made pair of Nut or Seed Crackers made for small English nuts from old indigenous English trees, not the large tropical varieties available today. Decorated and in full working order. Amazing piece of domestic history. Professionally cleaned and preserved and in Extremely Fine condition.