A rare, centuries-old “love” ring discovered by a metal detectorist in a Norfolk field is expected to make £600-£800 at auction this week <Sept 27>. The 18th-century gold ring, known as a posy, bears the rare inscription on the inside Lett & live be thy guide.
It was discovered last September by retired nurse, Michaela Betts, in a field adjoining Trunch Hall, near North Walsham. Dedicated history buff, Mrs Betts, 63, said: “It was an amazing find. The words Lett & live be thy guide has never been recorded on a ring.”
Hansons Auctioneers’ Mark Nelson-Griffiths called the unusual wording “especially intriguing”. Posy rings were often exchanged as tokens of love or betrothal and included a secret message on the inside, with a which only the wearer knew about.
Mr Nelson-Griffiths said: “18th-century sentiments often combined moral and romantic ideals. It could be a reminder to a lover to live with love, tolerance and peace.” While the motto “live and let live” first appears in the 1678 work A Collection of English Proverbs, the phrase Lett & live be thy guide is unrecorded in any similar ring.
Mrs Betts, a mother of three and grandmother of seven who has lived in Trunch for 30 years, said: “To think it had been in the ground all these years in a field that is ploughed four times a year and to emerge unscathed is extraordinary.”
She believes the ring which was found with another less than a quarter of a mile from Trunch Hall may have been part of a burglary in the early 1800s. She said: “At the time the hall was occupied by the Rev Marmaduke Ward who was the victim of a burglary for which he always suspected his cousin. In his will the reverend left his cousin £4 a year saying he would never forgive him for what he had done. Could the ring be part of the haul and dropped in the getaway?”
Mrs Betts, who goes out metal detecting most days and describes herself as a full time treasure hunter, used a C.Scope 6MXi detector to find the ring. She started metal detecting in the 1970s and returned to it 12 years ago.
Part of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to St Botolph’s church in Trunch. Michaela and her husband Peter also provide a free service locally finding lost wedding rings. A maker’s mark on the ring suggests it might have been the work of London goldsmith Joseph King, who worked between 1765 and 1795.
Auction Details
Auction: The Norfolk Jewellery, Silver, Watch & Fine Art Auction
Auction date: 27th September | 10am
Location: Hansons Norfolk Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
