Ring
1750-1780 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ring was acquired by the Museum in 1871 as part of a large collection of rings which had been assembled by the Victorian scholar Edmund Waterton. It was described at that time as 16th-century Italian.
It is more likely to come from the Poitou region of France. The design, of a capital ‘L’ with a heart, was a popular motif on betrothal rings in the region. It represents the rebus ‘mon coeur à elle’ meaning ‘my heart belongs to her’. Rings of this type mainly date from the late 18th and early 19th century, although they may have been in use as early as the 13th or 14th century. This example was probably made before 1797 as later French maker’s marks have a lozenge-shaped frame.
It is more likely to come from the Poitou region of France. The design, of a capital ‘L’ with a heart, was a popular motif on betrothal rings in the region. It represents the rebus ‘mon coeur à elle’ meaning ‘my heart belongs to her’. Rings of this type mainly date from the late 18th and early 19th century, although they may have been in use as early as the 13th or 14th century. This example was probably made before 1797 as later French maker’s marks have a lozenge-shaped frame.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver |
| Brief description | Silver ring with a square bezel engraved with 'L' enclosing a heart, Poitou (France), 1750-1780. |
| Physical description | Cast silver ring with a flat square bezel. The bezel is engraved with a capital ‘L’ enclosing a burning heart, arranged parallel to the shank. The shoulders are baluster shaped supporting a grooved section with a worn head attached. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | ex Waterton Collection |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ring was acquired by the Museum in 1871 as part of a large collection of rings which had been assembled by the Victorian scholar Edmund Waterton. It was described at that time as 16th-century Italian. It is more likely to come from the Poitou region of France. The design, of a capital ‘L’ with a heart, was a popular motif on betrothal rings in the region. It represents the rebus ‘mon coeur à elle’ meaning ‘my heart belongs to her’. Rings of this type mainly date from the late 18th and early 19th century, although they may have been in use as early as the 13th or 14th century. This example was probably made before 1797 as later French maker’s marks have a lozenge-shaped frame. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.230-1975 |
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| Record created | November 23, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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