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Signet ring
unknown - Enlarge image
Signet ring
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
France (intaglio, made) - Date:
1400-1500 (made)
late 14th century (intaglio) - Artist/Maker:
unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Engraved gold set with a purple spinel intaglio with traces of enamel
- Credit Line:
Salting Bequest
- Museum number:
M.554-1910
- Gallery location:
Jewellery, room 91, case 5, shelf C, box 21
Physical description
Gold signet ring with an oval bezel set with a purple spinel intaglio of a crowned head and engraved in black letter tel il nest The shoulders engraved with sprigs, with traces of enamel
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
France (intaglio, made)
Date
1400-1500 (made)
late 14th century (intaglio)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Engraved gold set with a purple spinel intaglio with traces of enamel
Marks and inscriptions
inscribed tel il nest 'there is none like him'
Dimensions
Height: 2.1 cm, Width: 2 cm, Depth: 1.3 cm
Object history note
ex Arundel and Marlborough Collections
Historical significance: The intaglio may be the one described in the 1379 inventory of Charles V of France;
The signet of the King which is the head of a king without beard; and is (made) of a fine oriental ruby; this is that which the King seals the letters which he has written with his (own) hand.
Descriptive line
Gold signet ring with an oval bezel set with a purple spinel intaglio of a crowned head and engraved in black letter tel il nest ('There is none like him'). The intaglio France, late 1350-1400, the setting England, 1400-1500.
Production Note
Intaglio probably 1350-1400
Materials
Gold; Spinel
Techniques
Engraving (incising)
Subjects depicted
Busts; Floral sprays; Crowns (headdresses); Intaglios
Categories
Metalwork; Jewellery
Collection code
MET
