Signet Ring
early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Rings are the most commonly surviving medieval jewels. They were worn by both sexes, across all levels of society. Some portraits show wearers with multiple rings across all their fingers. Although rings were worn for decoration, they also had important practical functions. Signet rings such as this one were pressed into sealing wax to create a unique, legally recognised signature.
Signets could be engraved with a coat of arms for those entitled to bear them, with a personal device or simply with an initial letter. The bird with raised wings which is engraved on the bezel of this ring may be the personal device of the owner.
Signets could be engraved with a coat of arms for those entitled to bear them, with a personal device or simply with an initial letter. The bird with raised wings which is engraved on the bezel of this ring may be the personal device of the owner.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver |
| Brief description | Silver signet ring with a circular bezel engraved with a bird, a sexfoil beneath its tail and the letter 'S', England, early 16th century |
| Physical description | Silver signet ring with a circular bezel engraved with a bird, a sexfoil beneath its tail and the letter 'S' |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | engraved with a bird, a sexfoil beneath its tail and the letter 'S' |
| Credit line | Given by Dame Joan Evans |
| Subject depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | Rings are the most commonly surviving medieval jewels. They were worn by both sexes, across all levels of society. Some portraits show wearers with multiple rings across all their fingers. Although rings were worn for decoration, they also had important practical functions. Signet rings such as this one were pressed into sealing wax to create a unique, legally recognised signature. Signets could be engraved with a coat of arms for those entitled to bear them, with a personal device or simply with an initial letter. The bird with raised wings which is engraved on the bezel of this ring may be the personal device of the owner. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.259-1962 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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