SILVER MERCHANT'S RING, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY Carved with an octagonal plaque with merchant's symbols including 'the mystical sign of four' Carved shoulders Sigil to base of shank Plaque length approx. 1.7cm Ring size approx. N Weight approx. 11.0g Footnotes: Please note this lot has VAT at a preferential rate of 5% on the Hammer Price and VAT at the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. The mystical sign of four was a development of an early Christian symbol for 'Chi Rho' the Greek letters for Christos Rex. This was simplified by the merchants to a '4' or inverted '4'. The mystical sign of four combined with the merchant's own symbols were used for identification of cargo and also believed to ward off the Devil and other evil spirits. OVERALL CONDITION Wear commensurate with age to metal testing as silver. Sigil to base of hoop worn, some discolouration to shank. This condition report is provided for your convenience, based on the opinion of our gemmologists. Bonhams is not responsible for any discrepancies between this information and other opinions. All lots in this sale are sold as viewed online and additional images/videos are not available. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing