Important secret ring, also known as a poison ring, in iron, - Lot 45

Important secret ring, also known as a poison ring, in iron, brass and bronze with rhinestone inlays and cameos featuring female profiles. Rectangular iron plate engraved "GIOV.VISCON." with the Visconti family coat of arms, revealing a compartment lined with purple velvet. The frame is richly decorated with garlands, medallion portraits, a cross and a paschal lamb. Probably Italy, 18th century. TDD : 74 Provenance and history: This ring belonged to Canon Letteron (1844-1918), who gave it as a thank-you gift to Mr. Laurent Ersa, President of the Bastia Assize Court and grandfather of the current owner. Canon Letteron was an important Corsican dignitary and scholar, mainly in Bastia, where he founded a learned society devoted to the historical and natural sciences of Corsica. Historically, Corsica was a possession of Genoa, which ceded it to France in 1768. It is possible that this ring was traveling with an Italian prelate during this period. Similar piece in the Lisbon Pharmacy Museum, Inv. N°15411.