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17th Century Skull Ring Unearthed by Detectorist
17 Jun
Summary
- A gold ring with a skull motif from the 17th century was found.
- The ring belonged to headmaster Dr Richard Busby, who died in 1695.
- It is expected to fetch around £3,000 at auction next week.
A 17th-century gold ring, featuring a memento mori skull motif, has been unearthed in a field near Preston by metal detectorist Amanda Parker. The significant find is a memorial ring dedicated to Dr Richard Busby, the long-serving headmaster of Westminster School, who passed away in 1695 and is buried in Westminster Abbey.
The ring, which is set to go under the hammer next week with an estimated price of £3,000, was discovered by Parker after she obtained permission to search local farmland. She recalled the moment of discovery, initially thinking it was a simple wedding band.
Upon closer inspection, Parker discovered the inscription 'Ri Busby' on the inside of the ring. Research confirmed its connection to Dr Busby, a notable historical figure who educated prominent individuals like Sir Christopher Wren and Henry Purcell. The ring was returned to Parker in December 2025 after being processed through the treasure trove system.
Westminster School expressed interest in the ring, as they do not currently possess a similar item in their collection. Parker plans to share the proceeds of the sale 50:50 with the landowner, emphasizing her passion for detecting lies in uncovering history rather than monetary gain.
Jewellery specialist Laura Smith noted that Busby's will specifically included bequests for rings to be bought 'in remembrance of me.' Records indicate that 90 such foliate rings were purchased, with 20 bearing a skull motif, aligning with the discovered item.
