Ring thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Ring

1862 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This gold signet ring is engraved with the coat of arms of William Thomson (1819-1890) surrounded by a crozier, mitre and cross. Thomson was Archbishop of York in 1862 until his death. He married Zoe Skene (1834-1913), the daughter of the British Consul at Aleppo and they had nine children. His descendants include the novelist Rose Tremain.

He was a Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford until his marriage forced him to leave. Lady Thomson, who gave this ring to the museum, recorded that it was presented to him by his Oxford friends. His interests included science as well as theology and he was fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraved gold
Brief description
Bishop's ring, Gold with an oval bezel engraved with the arms of William Thomson, Archbishop of York, 1862-1890, surrounded by a crozier, mitre and cross, England, 1862.
Physical description
Bishop's ring, Gold with an oval bezel engraved with the arms of William Thomson, Archbishop of York, 1862-1890, surrounded by a crozier, mitre and cross
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.6cm
  • Width: 2.6cm
  • Depth: 2cm
Credit line
Given by Lady Thomson
Object history
There is a painting of William Thomson by Walter William Ouless in Bishopthorpe Palace, York and a copy by Cyrus Johnson in the Queen's College, University of Oxford.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This gold signet ring is engraved with the coat of arms of William Thomson (1819-1890) surrounded by a crozier, mitre and cross. Thomson was Archbishop of York in 1862 until his death. He married Zoe Skene (1834-1913), the daughter of the British Consul at Aleppo and they had nine children. His descendants include the novelist Rose Tremain.

He was a Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford until his marriage forced him to leave. Lady Thomson, who gave this ring to the museum, recorded that it was presented to him by his Oxford friends. His interests included science as well as theology and he was fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society.
Collection
Accession number
M.111-1945

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Record createdNovember 1, 2005
Record URL
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