English, circa 1300

the gold inscribed in Lombardic script: Amor Vincit Omnia (love conquers all), the intaglio carved with an eagle bearing a laurel wreath in its beak

with H. Ulreich Juwelier, Frankfurt, 1964

Overall the condition of the ring is good. There are slightly open joints where the shank joins the intaglio set bezel. There is some minor tarnishing and a few minor nicks and scratches to the underside of the bezel and to the edges of the inscription and setting. There are a few minor nicks to the stone on the top left edge.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Martin Henig (op. cit.) discusses the medieval elite's fascination for ancient gems to serve as a sigilum secreta and the manner in which such seals were subtly re-interpretated by the intelligentsia. In the ring offered here, the emblem of Victory embodied in the Roman intaglio has in fact been ingeniously interpreted and reflected in the accompanying inscription. Martin Henig emphasises the status of such ancient seals, which were given equal value to their gold or silver settings, during the medieval period, in citing a Statute of Edward I dated to 1300 ordering that 'gravers or cutters of stones, and of seals shall give to each their weight of silver and gold, as near as they can, upon their fidelity'. The latin phrase on the present ring appears on two further medieval rings in the British Museum illustrated by Dalton (op.cit. nos.  960, 960a). Dalton also notes that the same motto appears on the brooch worn by the Prioress in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

RELATED LITERATURE
O.M. Dalton, The Franks Bequest, Catalogue of the Finger Rings, London, 1912, pl. 37 A-E; C. Oman, British Rings. 800-1914, London, 1974, no.218; M. Henig, 'The re-use and copying of ancient intaglios set in Medieval personal seals mainly found in England: an aspect of the Renaissance of the 12th century', J. Cherry and J. Robinson (eds.), Good Impressions: image and authority in medieval seals, London, 2007, pp. 25-34