A 17th century gold unicorn ring which had lain buried in a farmer’s field for nearly 400 years before being dug up by a metal detectorist has sold at auction for £20,000.

The signet ring, which belonged to an English noble with links to Scotland, was found on farmland at Thornton in Buckinghamshire in 2018.

Weighing more than 20g, it went under the hammer on December 9 with an upper estimate of £12,000, but sold for nearly double that price, Hansons Auctioneers said.

Gold unicorn head ring.
(Hansons Auctioneers/PA)

Charles Hanson, the Derbyshire-based auction house owner, described it as “an exceptional result for an exceptional find”.

“Buried treasure lies beneath our feet, lost centuries ago,” he said. “The ring’s historical importance made it irresistible to bidders.”

The expertly crafted piece had a two-sided bezel, swivelling to reveal an engraved unicorn’s head on one side and a coat of arms on the reverse.

The engraved arms, featuring a shield with a crescent moon, was that of Thomas Curwen – second son of Sir Henry Curwen MP – who was born in 1602 during the last months of Elizabeth I’s reign.

The unicorn’s head was the crest of the Curwen family, who were from Workington in Cumbria, 270 miles from where the ring was found.

Reverse of the ring
(Hansons Auctioneers/PA)

Thomas Curwen inherited the family estate in 1664, which included 15th century Workington Hall, where Mary Queen of Scots once sought refuge from Queen Elizabeth.

The appearance of the unicorn shows the Curwen family’s historic links to Galloway in Scotland.

Thomas Curwen, who never married, died in February 1672, during the reign of Charles II, and was buried at Workington.

Mr Hanson said: “The ring travelled far from its ancestral home but we will never know how and why.

“Finds like this are fascinating; not only is it a stunning item of jewellery, it’s an important family heirloom and a fascinating piece of Cumbria’s local history.”

Proceeds from the sale will be shared with the landowner.