Ring
1650-1830 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Rings served many purposes in traditional jewellery, and were never worn purely for decoration. Like the rest of the jewellery worn with traditional costume, they are usually very conservative in design, and often look much older than they are. In the nineteenth century they were sometimes not recognised for what they are, but it is much easier to identify them correctly now, as their very conservatism makes it possible to find similar examples in the many published sources.
This ring was described as English, from the sixteenth century, when it was acquired by the Museum in 1860. It is more likely to be from Germany. Although it looks medieval, rings of this type continued in use with traditional costume up to the 19th century. The red and green stones on the bezel, the clasped hands at the base of the shoulders, and the initials engraved on the inside of the shank all suggest that it was originally a betrothal ring. In German tradition, the colours red and green stand for love and hope.
This ring was described as English, from the sixteenth century, when it was acquired by the Museum in 1860. It is more likely to be from Germany. Although it looks medieval, rings of this type continued in use with traditional costume up to the 19th century. The red and green stones on the bezel, the clasped hands at the base of the shoulders, and the initials engraved on the inside of the shank all suggest that it was originally a betrothal ring. In German tradition, the colours red and green stand for love and hope.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt set with a green paste and a garnet |
| Brief description | Silver-gilt ring, set with a green paste and a garnet, with two clasped hands on each shoulder, northern Europe, 1650-1830. |
| Physical description | Silver-gilt band ring widening at the front to form the bezel. The shoulders are covered with applied fronds which extend over the bezel to enclose two stones, one a garnet, the other a green opaque paste, arranged vertically on the front. At the base of the shoulders on each side are two clasped hands. There is a decorative strip along the two edges of the shank. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | inscribed 'QBAMB' (inside the hoop) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Rings served many purposes in traditional jewellery, and were never worn purely for decoration. Like the rest of the jewellery worn with traditional costume, they are usually very conservative in design, and often look much older than they are. In the nineteenth century they were sometimes not recognised for what they are, but it is much easier to identify them correctly now, as their very conservatism makes it possible to find similar examples in the many published sources. This ring was described as English, from the sixteenth century, when it was acquired by the Museum in 1860. It is more likely to be from Germany. Although it looks medieval, rings of this type continued in use with traditional costume up to the 19th century. The red and green stones on the bezel, the clasped hands at the base of the shoulders, and the initials engraved on the inside of the shank all suggest that it was originally a betrothal ring. In German tradition, the colours red and green stand for love and hope. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 6768-1860 |
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| Record created | November 1, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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