Jewellery
1938-1905 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ring with its turquoise stone scarab or beetle was owned by the actor-manager Henry Irving (1838-1905) who probably wore it on stage. Irving ensured that the sets, costumes and accessories of his productions at the Lyceum Theatre were designed by the best designers of his day. He would have liked this scarab ring for its antique associations, and because its large polished turquoise body would have been visible on stage, gleaming in the stage lights.
Scarabs are associated with Egyptian jewellery, and were widely used as seals. Since scarabs had a mystical quality they were regarded as a charm against evil for the living when worn strung on a cord, and harbingers of a good journey to the Afterworld when sewn to mummy wrappings.
Scarabs are associated with Egyptian jewellery, and were widely used as seals. Since scarabs had a mystical quality they were regarded as a charm against evil for the living when worn strung on a cord, and harbingers of a good journey to the Afterworld when sewn to mummy wrappings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Turquoise stone in a metal setting |
| Brief description | Scarab ring belonging to Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) and probably worn by him on stage. |
| Physical description | Turquoise stone scarab set in base metal setting, the lower surface of which is decorated with a pattern of small shield-like shapes. The metal ring itself is composed of four drawn base metal wires, fused together in the lower section, but splayed out as they join the setting. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by the British Theatre Museum Association |
| Object history | Part of the Donald Wolfit bequest to the British Theatre Museum Association (BTMA), presented to the BTMA by Lady Wolfit on 24 April 1968. |
| Summary | This ring with its turquoise stone scarab or beetle was owned by the actor-manager Henry Irving (1838-1905) who probably wore it on stage. Irving ensured that the sets, costumes and accessories of his productions at the Lyceum Theatre were designed by the best designers of his day. He would have liked this scarab ring for its antique associations, and because its large polished turquoise body would have been visible on stage, gleaming in the stage lights. Scarabs are associated with Egyptian jewellery, and were widely used as seals. Since scarabs had a mystical quality they were regarded as a charm against evil for the living when worn strung on a cord, and harbingers of a good journey to the Afterworld when sewn to mummy wrappings. |
| Other number | 1968/A/42 - BTMA accession number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.816-1981 |
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| Record created | October 4, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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