Lot 157 , A heraldic signet ring, England, 15th/16th century

A heraldic signet ring, England, 15th/16th century, the octagonal panel engraved with the crest of an ostrich with keys in its beak, with the motto 'In Dno Confido' (In Domino Confido', 'In God I Trust'), to a twisted shank, size V

The ostrich was widely believed to be able to digest iron, and so was occasionally used as a heraldic device, typically holding a set of keys or a horseshoe in its beak. In the Scottish guide to heraldry 'Deidis of Armorie', circa 1494, it signified that the first bearer of these arms ate hard things (as in, was of a strong constitution) and that they had a defiant nature (‘eite hard thingis and [wes] diffailland of natur’).

Provenance: formerly in the collection of Dame Joan Evans (1893-1977)
£50-100

Sold for £1,500