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You are here: Home / Archives for Type / Rings

Rings

Rings are probably my favorite type of jewelry. (You have been warned.)

Italian Signet Ring circa 1300

Signet ring, probably Italian, circa 1300

Lot Details
Description
Rings from a Distinguished Spanish Collection (lots 10 and 11)

PROBABLY ITALIAN, CIRCA 1300
SIGNET RING

inscribed with a partially legible inscription: + S. DEVDONEDVBELLO (?)
gold, set with a garnet intaglio
18mm., ¾in.
ring size: K

Cataloguing
Provenance
E. Guilhou, Paris, by 1912;
Sotheby’s London, 11 December 1986, lot 202;

private collection, Spain (acquired through Spink & Sons, 1986)

Literature
Catalogue of a Collection of Ancient Rings formed by the Late E. Guilhou, Paris, 1912, p. 154, no. 1273, pl. XIX

Catalogue Note
The present signet ring comes from one of the greatest collections of rings assembled around the turn of the last century by Monsieur G. Guilhou of Paris. It is published in the 1912 catalogue (illustrated) but appears not to have been sold in the 1937 Sotheby’s sale of the Guilhou collection. Intaglios and cameos, ancient or contemporary, were often incorporated into rings in the medieval period, and, according to Martin Henig, were intended to serve as a sigillum secreti (seals of secret significance used for personal correspondence). According to Henig, such gems were prized, as is evidenced by a Statute of Edward I dated to 1300 ordering that ‘gravers or cutters of stones, and of seals shall give to each their weight of silver and gold, as near as they can, upon their fidelity’. Compare with ring in the British Museum illustrated by Dalton (op. cit.) and that exhibited as part of a private collection by Les Enluminures in 2014 (op. cit.). Note also the signet ring in the Victoria and Albert Museum London (inv. no. M.290-1962).

RELATED LITERATURE

O. M. Dalton, The Franks Bequest, Catalogue of the Finger Rings, cat. British Museum, London, 1912 pl.III; M. Henig, ‘The re-use and copying of ancient intaglios set in Medieval personal seals mainly found in England: an aspect of the Renaissance of the 12th century’, in J. Cherry and J. Robinson (eds.), Good Impressions: image and authority in medieval seals, London, 2007, pp. 25-34; S. Hindman and D. Scarisbrick, Toward an Art History of Medieval Rings: A Private Colllection, exh. cat., Les Enluminures, 2014, no. 19; . Cherry and M. Henig, ‘Intaglios Set in Medieval Seal Matrices: Indicators of Political Power and Social Status?’ in J. Cherry, J. Berenbeim and L. de Beer (eds.), Seals and Status: The Power of Objects, The British Museum, London, 2018, pp. 104-113

Condition Report
Overall the condition of the ring is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are various very minor abrasions and scratches to the gold. There are a few very slight gaps between the setting and stone.

Source: Sotheby’s

Signet ring, probably Italian, circa 1300

Signet ring, probably Italian, circa 1300

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: garnet, gold, intaglio, Italian, signet

Egyptian Lotus Ring

Egyptian Lotus Ring

Egyptian, New Kingdom
decorated with lotus flowers & baguettes
Gold, lapis, turquoise & carnelian
The Louvre

Source link (could not find anywhere in the English catalog of the Louvre?)
— via Pinterest

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings Tagged With: carnelian, Egyptian, gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise

Late Medieval Gold Ring with Hexagonal Sapphire

Late Medieval Gold Ring with Hexagonal Sapphire

Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art
09 July 2009 | 2:30 PM BST
London

English, late 14th/15th century
FINGER RING

Estimate: 8,000 — 12,000 GBP
LOT SOLD. 70,850 GBP (Hammer Price with Buyer’s Premium)

engraved gold, set with a sapphire in hexagonal collet, inscribed: JOYE SANZ FYN (joy without end) on the interior

inside diameter: 1.8cm., 7/8 in.

Provenance
Found near St. Oswald’s Church, Winwick, Cheshire

Literature
‘Ring is Real Treasure’, in The Warrington Guardian, 26 April 2008

Source link

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: engraving, gold, sapphire

Late Medieval Diamond Posy Ring

15th century diamond posy ring

A fifteenth century English ring

yellow gold, mounted with an uncut diamond crystal, of octahedral form cleaved in half in a square box-shaped bezel with chamfered edges, to a twisted cable form hoop with alternating twists of engraved cross hatching.

The diamond is of Indian origin. In the fifteenth century India was the sole source for diamonds and they were traded from the subcontinent to Venice, Antwerp and Amsterdam. The presence of a rough diamond crystal in a ring of this period is unusual. As diamonds had been cut in Europe since the early fourteenth century and by the fifteenth century point cut stones were used. The diamond in the ring has a peculiar crystal habit; it has grown irregularly, with ridges along the edges of the stone. It was probably left uncut because this unusual crystal form was prized.

Provenance:

English, circa 1460.

Discovered on 15th June 2008 by a metal detectorist in the area of Hambleton. Hambleton is a village nearby the Cistercian Abbey of Rievaulx in North Yorkshire. Treasure report no. 2008 T367. Disclaimed on 25th September 2009.

For another example of a fifteenth century ring mounted with a diamond crystal and one showing similar cabling hoop detail C.f. O.M. Dalton, Catalogue of Finger Rings in the British Museum (1912) nos. 720 & 928.

Source link

15th century diamond posy ring

chamfer |ˈCHamfər| verb [ with obj. ]
in carpentry, cut away (a right-angled edge or corner) to make a symmetrical sloping edge.

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: diamond, engraving, gold

Late Medieval Sapphire Ring

Late Medieval Sapphire Ring

Late Medieval Sapphire Ring, 14k gold with rubbed over bezel and closed back. Circa 14th-15th century

Source unknown.

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: gold, sapphire

Medieval Diamond Finger Ring

Medieval Diamond Finger Ring

Image courtesy of Christie's.
Image courtesy of Christie’s.

From Christie’s:

Sale Title: IMPORTANT JEWELLERY
Location: London, King Street
Sale Date: Jun 15, 2006
Lot Number: 0398
Sale Number: 7240

Lot Title: AN EXTREMELY RARE MEDIAEVAL DIAMOND LOYALTY RING
Estimate: 30,000 – 50,000 British pounds
Price Realized: 84,000 British pounds – Sold After Sale

Pre-lot Text
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

Lot Description
AN EXTREMELY RARE MEDIAEVAL DIAMOND LOYALTY RING 
The point-cut diamond to the star and heart engraved mount, ‘V’ and ‘A’ engraved shoulders, and inscribed hoop, 14th century

Provenance
Discovered on the farmland of Manley Hall in the village of Manley in Cheshire, 19 May 2002 and filed as Treasure Trove on 17 June 2002. Manley is on the edge of Delamere Forest, which was originally the royal hunting ground of King Edward III

Lot Notes
Enamelled and engraved rings from the 14th century often fall within a tradition of mediaeval ‘love rings’ where lovers’ initials may both be engraved within the ring. However, there may also be a stronger political influence behind this ring. The use of a diamond within a ring is very unusual in the 14th century and marks this ring as an important and significant object, and possibly gift. Historically, a valuable ring may have been given as a token of love, or alternatively as a sign of allegiance. One ring, known as the ‘Verney Ring’, was given in the 17th century by Charles I to Sir Edmund Verney, one of his most loyal followers during the Civil War.

It has been noted that the ring offered here, bearing three ‘E’ initials between stars, dates to the time of Edward III during the 100 Years War. The series of Anglo-French conflicts known as the Hundred Years War dominating Edward’s reign were chiefly caused by disputes over English holdings in France and troubles between the Flemish weaving cities (allies of the English) and their French overlords. One wealthy Flemish weaving merchant, Jacob van Artevelde, emerged as a political leader against the French, forming the League of Flemish Towns in 1336 who supported Edward’s claim to the title of King of France (through his mother’s line) in 1340. Edward III and Van Artevelde were doubtlessly close. Holding the contentious position of primary English supporter within the French-ruled Ghent, Van Artevelde was assassinated in 1345, leaving a son, Philip Van Artevelde, whose godmother, Philippa of Hainault, was the wife of Edward III. In turn, Jacob Van Artevelde was godfather to Edward III’s and Philippa’s son, John of Gaunt. Philip continued the Flemish fight in his allegiance to the English King and Queen.

The motto reading across both sides of the hoop, ‘loyaute sans fin’, indicates an eternal dedication of loyalty, and together with the initials ‘V’ and ‘A’ either side of the bezel would be an appropriate dedication between the King of England and his closest Flemish supporter within the political climate of the mid fourteenth century.

 Cf. D. Scarisbrick, Historic Rings, Kodansha International, 2004, pp. 59-60, no. 146

Cf. G. Kunz, Rings for the Finger, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1973, p. 190

From Finds.org.uk:

One of the most splendid medieval finds to come up through the process of the Treasure Act is undoubtedly a gold and diamond ring found in Manley, Cheshire in 2002. Another ring found with coins at Thame in Oxfordshire in 1940 is similar enough in its detail to suggest a date in the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century. The design of the Manley ring is complex with decorative elements which undoubtedly had greater significance for the original owner than is apparent to us today. It is inscribed on the top “sans fin” and on the bottom “loiauté” meaning ‘unceasing loyalty’. At the back of the hoop is a central, openwork band with three letters ‘E’ juxtaposed with three stars. The inscription is sufficiently chivalric in sentiment to have been passed between men and the allure of this very high-status jewel has led to some tentative historic associations.

The repetition of three letters ‘E’ with three stars convinced the finder that the ring was associated with Edward III. He felt that the black diamond signified the Black Prince and that the ring passed between father and son. However there is no supporting evidence for a royal association either through heraldry (which is absent from the design), a known use of the motto ‘sans fin loiauté’ by Edward III or any documented allusion to Edward signifying his royal status by the use of stars. A more recent speculative line of argument associates the ring with Edward III and his Flemish supporter Jacob van Artevelde on the assumption that the two open work letters on the shoulders of the ring, ‘V’ and ‘A’, stand for ‘van’ and ‘Artevelde’, but there is no substantive reason why this should be the case. A more convincing use of initial letters is their well documented place in courtship.

The crowned heart placed beneath the diamond amplifies the notion that this might be a romantic love ring. A ring at the British Museum almost identical in construction with open-work shoulders containing individual letters spelling ‘AMOURS’ suggests that the Manley ring belongs to a wider repertoire of love jewellery produced by the same goldsmith.

Inscription: sans fin loiauté

Current location of find: Private collection, sold at Christies.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1350
Date to: AD 1540

Weight: 3.54 g
Diameter: 22 mm

Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st May 2002

Source links and info:

  • Herepath,N (2002) LVPL2060 A MEDIEVAL FINGER RING — Finds.org.uk treasure database
  • How a treasure hunter struck gold with a mysterious ring, by ROBERT HARDMAN, Daily Mail, 12 June 2006
  • Important Jewellery, 15 June 2006 — Christie’s auction where ring was sold; lot no longer online.

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: diamond, gold

Frankish Garnet Ring

Frankish Garnet Finger Ring
Image © Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Date: 7th century
Geography: Made in Northern France
Culture: Frankish
Medium: Gold, garnet cabochon
Dimensions: Overall: 13/16 x 9/16 x 5/16 in. (2.1 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm) bezel: 1/4 x 5/16 x 3/8 in. (0.7 x 0.8 x 0.9 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Gold

Source link

Frankish Garnet Finger Ring, side view
Image © Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Frankish Garnet Finger Ring, side view
Image © Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: Frankish, garnet, gold

Greek Amethyst Finger Ring

A Greek Gold and Amethyst Finger Ring, Hellenistic Period, circa 2nd-1st century B.C.

A GREEK GOLD AND AMETHYST FINGER RING
HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.

Composed of two sections hinged together, the lower portion of the hoop set with a small cabochon amethyst, the hoop narrowing towards elaborate moldings below the hinge loops, the upper portion with similar moldings above the hinged loops, joined to the underside of an oblong stepped hexagon, centered by an oval box set with a large circular cabochon amethyst
1¾ in. (4.4 cm.) long; ring size 5

Source link

A Greek Gold and Amethyst Finger Ring (side view)

A Greek Gold and Amethyst Finger Ring (top view)

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings Tagged With: amethyst, gold, Greek

Roman Amethyst Finger Ring

 A Roman Gold and Amethyst Finger Fing circa 3rd Century A.D.

The solid cast hoop flat on the interior, carinated on the exterior, the sides voluted, merging with grooved shoulders, expanding toward the bezel, with four prongs supporting the oval bezel, with peltae on either side, set with a cabochon amethyst
7/8 in. (2.2 cm.) wide; ring size 7

Source link

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings

“Loyal Desire” Sapphire and Gold Ring

Gold and sapphire ring (top view)

An important high carat gold medieval ring set with a natural irregular hexagonal cut sapphire, decorated with fine engravings and inscribed on the inside of the shank with the text ‘Loyal Desir’ which means legal or loyal desire which indicates the ring is a love token; for marriage or just a token of affection, early 15th century.

Source link

Gold and sapphire ring (side view)

Gold and sapphire ring (engraving detail)

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: engraving, gold, sapphire

Byzantine Bronze Ring

Samaritan/Byzantine bronze ring

As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

An archaeological investigation into Byzantine-era refuse pits revealed the truth behind this adage after researchers discovered an astonishing number of artifacts buried in pits on the Israeli central coast, according to a press release from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

The largest of the pits measures close to 30 meters (about 98 feet) across and was filled with the animal bone fragments and pottery shards one might expect in an ancient garbage pit. However, among the trash was also a mystifying amount of gold coins and jewelry.

“In the midst of the many sherds that were discovered in the big refuse pit was a large amount of usable artifacts, whose presence in the pit raises questions,” professor Oren Tal of Tel Aviv University said in a statement. “Among other things, more than four hundred coins were found which are mostly Byzantine, including one gold coin, as well as two hundred whole and intact Samaritan lamps (among them lamps that were never used), rings and gold jewelry.”

The items have been preliminarily dated between the fifth and seventh centuries A.D., according to the IAA. However the area where they were found, Apollonia National Park, is believed to have been inhabited for much longer. In fact, in 2004, the park was named a World Monuments Fund Watch site because of its historical importance.

Source link

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings Tagged With: bronze, Byzantine

Medieval Amethyst Ring

416aa240a9e176669a3fdd725819b1e4

Medieval gold ring with amethyst crystals. Thirteenth century.

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: amethyst, gold

Merovingian Glass & Garnet Gold Ring

A Merovingian Glass and Garnet Gold Finger Ring

A MEROVINGIAN GLASS AND GARNET GOLD FINGER RING
circa 5th-6th century a.d.
The hoop round in section, with collared shoulders joined to the diamond-shaped bezel, which is divided into quadrants and set with alternating squares of blue and green glass, the corners of the bezel terminating in roundels set with cabochon garnets

Source link

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: garnet, glass, gold

Byzantine Garnet Ring

Gold and garnet ring

Gold and garnet ring, circa 5th-7th centuries. This type of ring could be produced by a barbaric jeweller (Goth?) or by a Byzantine workshop for barbaric customers. (auto-translation)

Source link

Gold and garnet ring

Gold and garnet ring

Gold and garnet ring (back)

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: Byzantine, garnet, gold, Goth

Medieval Amethyst Ring

13th/14th century amethyst ring

A 13th/14th century ring. The hexagonal slice of amethyst in a closed-back gold setting, ring size approximately P½

Found in North Yorkshire, treasure number 2010T674. The Crown’s interest in this ring has been disclaimed.

Source link

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: amethyst, gold

Gold and sapphire ring, European

Gold ring, the oval bezel set with a sapphire, with chased foliated shoulders, West Europe, 14th century

Gold ring, the oval bezel set with a sapphire, with chased foliated shoulders, West Europe, 14th century

Source link

Gold ring, the oval bezel set with a sapphire, with chased foliated shoulders, West Europe, 14th century

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: gold, sapphire

Stuart Era Amethyst Ring

Stuart Era Amethyst Ring

Court of England – Amethyst Ring – Stuart Era
(Source link broken; nothing else known.)

Filed Under: Baroque, Rings Tagged With: amethyst, gold

“Black Prince” Signet Ring

Signet ring of the “Black Prince”

Signet ring of the “Black Prince”
Second third of 14th century
Found at Montpensier, Puy-de-Dôme, in 1866
Gold, formerly gilded, ruby

Source link

Signet ring of the “Black Prince”

Detail, Signet ring of the “Black Prince”

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: gilding, gold, ruby

Etruscan Ring, 4th century BC-3rd century BC

Etruscan Ring, 4th century BC-3rd century BC

Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
Gift of Ostby and Barton, in memory of Englehardt Cornelius Ostby
Photography by Erik Gould
Source link

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings Tagged With: Etruscan, gold, granulation, intaglio

Egyptian Revival Lapis Lazuli Ring

Late Victorian Egyptian Revival Gold Ring with Lapis Lazuli

Late Victorian Egyptian Revival Gold Ring with Lapis Lazuli
American, 1880
14K Gold, Lapis Lazuli
Source link

Late Victorian Egyptian Revival Gold Ring with Lapis Lazuli (side view)

Late Victorian Egyptian Revival Gold Ring with Lapis Lazuli (side view)

Filed Under: Revival, Rings Tagged With: Egyptian, gold, lapis lazuli

Triple Garnet Ring

Roman garnet and gold ring, 3rd century

Garnet and gold ring, Roman, 2nd-3rd century AD

The ring consists of three plates, each with a garnet, bezel-set.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

Source

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings Tagged With: garnet, gold, Roman

Anglo-Saxon Cabochon Ring

Anglo-Saxon Cabochon Ring

Cabochon Ring found in Leeds, West Yorkshire — an unusually large, complete and spectacular gold ring with a lozenge-shaped bezel set with a garnet gem. Anglo-Saxon pieces of such high quality are extremely rare. It was made to be displayed as a sign of great wealth and status and is in near perfect condition.

Source article

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: Anglo-Saxon, garnet, gold

Greek Sapphire Finger-Ring

Greek sapphire finger-ring

The ribbed octagonal hoop terminating in a six-petalled calyx and oval plate containing a sapphire within an irregular setting. Greece, circa 1400
Source link

Greek sapphire finger-ring

Greek sapphire finger-ring (in group)

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: gold, sapphire

Roman Pegasus Ring

Roman pegasus ring

18K gold lapis lazuli Roman intaglio ring

Filed Under: Ancient, Rings Tagged With: gold, intaglio, lapis lazuli, Roman

Viking Gold Finger-Ring

Viking Gold FInger-Ring

Viking Gold finger-ring of 3 twisted wires meeting in flattened section at back (10thC – 11thC)

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: gold, Viking

Western European Sapphire Ring

Ring; Western European, gold set with a cabochon sapphire, circa 1300-1400

Ring; Western European, gold set with a cabochon sapphire, circa 1300-1400
Source link

Ring; Western European, gold set with a cabochon sapphire, circa 1300-1400

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: gold, sapphire

Anglo-Saxon Sapphire Ring

sapphire ring

Sapphire ring ‘belonged to Anglo-Saxon or Viking royalty’
Source links: Independent.co.uk | York.ac.uk | Yorkshire Museum (PDF version, no images)

Sapphire ring, alternate view

Filed Under: Medieval, Rings Tagged With: Anglo-Saxon, glass, gold, sapphire

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