An early 18th century English gold memorial ring

An early 18th century English gold memorial ring, set with a flat oval garnet and two pear-shaped rose-cut shoulder diamonds, the back of the bezel carved with gadroons radiating upwards from a small oval-shaped centre, cut-down collet with small claws and bifurcated shoulders, engraved to the shank interior 'To Remember my Father's help in taking Guardalope (sic) 1759', size L

In 1759, as part of Prime Minister William Pitt's (1708-1778) ongoing operations to divert French troops from Germany by attacking them wherever he could, a British expedition was sent to the West Indes with the intention of seizing French possession after the 6 month long battle to capture Guadeloupe, they finally received the formal surrender of the Island just days before a large French relief force arrived.

For a similar ring mounted with an Intaglio portrait, see BOARDMAN, J., & SCARISBRICK, D., The Ralph Harari Collection of Finger Rings, item 154.