Memento Mori Fede ringc. mid-16th century, Europe A gold and enamelled ring, engraved and set with j
Memento Mori Fede ringc. mid-16th century, EuropeA gold and enamelled ring, engraved and set with jewels. Figure groups on shoulders of the bezel represent a Fall from Grace and the Expulsion from Eden, and the back of the hoop is in the form of hands clasping heart. The bezel and cover are in the form of a clasped book with a white skull between four stones(sapphire, ruby, emerald and diamond), two green toads and two snakes. Inside the book is a white recumbent figure upon green ground,with a skull and an hour-glass beside them, the cover underside of the cover features a black-letter inscription. blackletter Inscription:SIVE VIVIM, SIVE/MORIMVR DOMI/NI SVM, COMMEN/DA DOMINO.VIAM/TVAM.ET.SRERA/IN.EVM.ET.IPSE/FACIET(“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord” (Romans, xiv. 8)From the British Museum’s collection -- source link
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