Western Europe, France, ca. 18th century CE. A beautiful carnelian signet featuring the de Bouille family coat of arms set into an intricate gold ring of foliate and vine-like motifs. The coat of arms features a central shield bearing an equal-armed cross surmounted by a crown and a banner inscribed with the de Bouille family motto: "a vero bello Christi" or "from the true war of Christ." The gold setting is comprised of openwork foliate designs around the periphery of the stone and a slender band with spiraling vine decoration. The de Bouille family is most famous for Francois Claude Amour, marquis de Bouille (French, 1739 - 1800) who was a French general who distinguished himself in the Seven Years' War and was afterward appointed governor of Guadeloupe in 1768. Size (exterior of ring): 1.2" L x 1.1" W (3 cm x 2.8 cm); (interior of ring): 0.9" L x 0.6" W (2.3 cm x 1.5 cm); of signet: 1.1" L x 0.8" W (2.8 cm x 2 cm); US Ring Size: 6; gold quality: 74.6 to 81.09% (equivalent to over 17 to over 19 karats); weight: 14.3 grams

A committed royalist, Francois was a leading conspirator in the royal family's failed flight in 1791 and was thus forced into exile. He is now known for being mentioned in the French national anthem "La Marseillaise" as a detestable, counter-revolutionary figure.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#178211

Intact and excellent with impressive preservation of detail.