- Ring
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Ring
- Place of origin:
England (made)
- Date:
dated 1706 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown
- Materials and Techniques:
Enamelled gold set with rose-cut diamonds in silver collets
- Museum number:
302-1867
- Gallery location:
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery, case 12, shelf A, box 3
Rings have been used as love gifts and to symbolise marriage since Roman times. Marriage rings in early modern Europe could be made in a variety of materials and forms but the simple gold band was very commonly used. This ring is set with a large rose-cut diamond heart under a diamond crown, clasped between two enamelled hands. The inscription 'Dudley and Katherine united 26 March 1706' identifies it as a wedding ring.
It was probably made for Dudley North who married Katherine Yale at St Peter-le-Poer, London, on the 26th March 1706. They had at least three children: Dudley (baptised 8 July, 1707), Ann (baptised 21 October 1708) and Katherine (baptised 17 August, 1712).
