A hobbyist metal detectorist in England has stumbled upon a haunting piece of history. Malcolm Weale uncovered an 18th-century gold mourning ring, adorned with a skull-shaped enamel design, during a routine sweep of farmland in Norfolk, on England’s eastern coast.

This extraordinary find, likely belonging to a member of the British aristocracy, features a hand-engraved inscription on the inside—a name and date of death that connect it to a once-prominent family.

"I knew I'd found something special—I started dancing!" Weale told the BBC.

Weale discovered the ring back in August, and since then, experts from the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme have closely examined the artifact.

A Ring Honoring a Baronet Who Died Unmarried

The ring features a thick D-shaped gold band, inscribed inside with the phrase:
“B.G. Bart. ob: 10. Oct: 1723. aet: 56”

According to the British Museum, the Latin inscription translates to:
“B.G., Baronet, died 10 October 1723, aged 56.”

This appears to be a memorial to Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, the 3rd Baronet of Harling, a British aristocrat who reportedly died in a hunting accident.

**Gold ring featuring a tiny skull set in an oval recess.**
*Gawdy’s ring after being cleaned by experts.*
*Photo: Norfolk County Council / CC-BY SA*

On the outside of the ring, an oval recess is filled with two-tone enamel—a material made by fusing powdered glass or ceramic pigments at high heat. Against a grayish background, black strokes and blotches form the image of a distorted skull.

Museum measurements suggest the ring is around a U.S. size 6 or 7 (UK size L–N), implying it was likely crafted for a woman or adolescent. However, historical records show that Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy died unmarried and without heirs, bringing an end to his hereditary title.

This raises an intriguing question: Who commissioned the ring, and who wore it in mourning? The answer remains a mystery.

Mourning Jewelry in England: A Glimpse into "Memento Mori"

Mourning rings were a common tradition in England from the 16th century through the Victorian era. These pieces fall under the tradition of memento mori—Latin for "remember death"—which reminded wearers of mortality and the fragility of life.

Such jewelry often included rings, lockets, charms, or brooches decorated with miniature skulls and inscribed with the deceased’s name.

But Gawdy’s ring stands out.

Rather than featuring a carved skull filled with enamel—a more common design—the ring’s oval recess is enameled in two colors, forming a hauntingly stylized skull. According to the British Museum, it represents a later and less conventional interpretation of mourning art.

The ring also bears what appears to be a maker’s mark, “TU”, but no further details about the artisan have been identified.

A Historic Find Under the Treasure Act

Because the ring is made of gold and over 300 years old, it qualifies as treasure under the UK's Treasure Act of 1996. This means it can legally be acquired by a museum, with any reward shared between the landowner and the finder.

"It's incredibly rare to have your name attached to a discovery like this," Weale said.
"But I knew right away—it was something truly remarkable."