Gold and silver ring representing a skull or Memento mori, t - Lot 47

Gold and silver ring representing a skull or Memento mori, the orbits and shoulder set with rose-cut diamonds. French work from the late 17th century. Accompanied by a copy of Camille Dagincourt's will. Finger size: 50/51. Gross weight: 3.3g (traces of enamel, chips, accidents) According to family tradition, this ring was given to Madame de La Vallière (1644-1710). She was Louis XIV's favorite before taking her vows and retiring to the Carmelites. We enclose the will of Camille Dagincourt (1822-), in which this ring has remained in the same family by descent ever since. Skull and crossbones jewelry was in vogue from the end of the 16th century and throughout the 17th century, which was marked by famines, armed conflicts such as the 30 Years' War and Louis XIV's long war campaigns in Europe. These rings symbolize vanity as much as they encourage us to make the most of every moment, according to the motto "Carpe Diem". Sandra Hindman and Alii, Cycles of life, Rings from the benjamin Zucker Family Collection, New York 2014, p. 180-183