Signet Ring In Fine Carat Gold Engraved With A Falcon. English, Early 17th Century.

High carat gold signet ring engraved with a hawk. English, early 17th century.
A high carat gold signet ring engraved with a hawk.

English, early 17th century.

Ring Size N UK / 7 US.

The bezel measures 1.2cm x 1cm.

The hexagonal bezel is engraved with a hawk facing right, the wings outstretched and possibly about to take flight, a hawking bell to each leg. Surrounded by a rope-twist border, gently tapering shoulders to the shank.

Stable, old fracture to the centre of the bezel and repair to the back of the band.

The crest is probably that of the Throckmorton family.

See the last image for a similar ring, bearing the Throckmorton coat of arms, owned by Sir Nicholas Throckmorton (approx. 1560-1643) in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (collection number 808-1871). 

Sir Nicholas Throckmorton came from a colourful family much involved with the court. His paternal grandfather, Sir George Throckmorton, was related through his wife to Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife. His father, also Sir Nicholas, (1515-1571) was a staunch Protestant, who was cleared by a jury of treason under Mary I. He was then entrusted with high-level diplomatic missions to France and Scotland under Elizabeth I. The sister of the younger Sir Nicholas (the owner of the ring) married the navigator and author Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618).