A medieval bishop’s sapphire ring, dating back to the late 12th to early 13th century, will be auctioned off at Noonans Mayfair in London on March 26.
The rare discovery was made by Mark Sell, a 63-year-old retired firefighter from Swaffham, Norfolk, while using a metal detector on November 22, 2019. Sell was exploring a field near King Row in Shipdham when he unearthed the valuable piece.
Despite having searched the area before with little luck, Sell was thrilled when he uncovered what he called “the best item I have found so far.” He recalled the moment, saying, “I was amazed to see a thin line of gold in the clod of mud I had dug up. As I wiped away the mud, I could see the bezel of a medieval gold jeweled ring, complete with all of its original jewels still in place and in pristine condition.”
According to Laura Smith, a jewelry expert at Noonans, the ring is typical of medieval designs from the period, featuring a central cabochon sapphire stone surrounded by smaller gemstones, such as garnets and emeralds. Smith explained, “This type of medieval ring, with a principal sapphire surrounded by smaller collet-set stones, is typically dated to the late 12th or early 13th century and is associated with bishops.”
The ring showcases a hexagonal cabochon sapphire set in a closed-back collet, surrounded by four smaller cabochon emeralds and garnets, all mounted on a narrow flat band.
The ring was found in Shipdham, a village with a rich history. By the time of the Norman Conquest, the settlement was already well established and appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086. Smith added that the area was significant during the reign of King Henry III, when the Bishop of Ely built a manor house at Shipdham. The remains of its moat are still visible on 19th-century maps.
During the medieval period, the region also housed a royal deer park, which was owned by the See of Ely. The park, made up of Little Haw and West Haw, existed by 1277 but was later owned by the Wodehouse family in the late 16th century. The nearby All Saints Church in Shipdham dates back to the 12th century.
Similar rings from the same era have been preserved, including one that belonged to Walter de Gray, the Archbishop of York, and is now displayed at York Minster. Another example is the ring of the Bishop of Chichester, as well as the Whithorn Cathedral ring.
The medieval bishop’s ring, with its fascinating history and exceptional craftsmanship, is expected to attract significant attention at auction.
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