Ring thumbnail 1
Ring thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Ring

dated 1706 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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).


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Enamelled gold set with rose-cut diamonds in silver collets
Brief description
Enamelled gold fede ring, set with rose-cut diamonds in silver collets, with a crowned heart held by two hands inscribed 'Dudley & Katherine united 26.Mar. 1706', England, dated 1706.
Physical description
Enamelled gold fede ring, set with rose-cut diamonds in silver collets, with a crowned heart held by two hands inscribed 'Dudley & Katherine united 26.Mar. 1706'
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.2cm
  • Width: 2cm
  • Depth: 1.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
inscribed 'Dudley & Katherine united 26.Mar. 1706'
Subjects depicted
Summary
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).
Collection
Accession number
302-1867

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Record createdNovember 17, 2005
Record URL
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