Ring thumbnail 1
Ring thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Ring

15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Silver or gold 'iconographic' rings engraved with the figures of saints were particularly common in the 14th and 15th century and seem to have been a largely British type. The religious imagery was often combined with romantic inscriptions suggesting that they may sometimes have been used as love gifts or wedding rings. In 1463, John Baret of Bury St Edmunds bequeathed to 'Elizabeth .. my wyf a ryng of golde with an ymage of the Trinite' (Bury Wills, p. 36). They often feature the most venerated saints of the middle ages: Sts Christopher, Catherine, Margaret, Barbara, John the Baptist. The choice of saint was probably dictated by local loyalties, membership of confraternities devoted to a saint or the desire to invoke that saint's help in a particular matter.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraved silver gilt
Brief description
Silver gilt ring, depicting St. Anthony and St. John the Baptist with engraved sprigs on double-fluted shoulders, England, 15th century
Physical description
Silver gilt ring, depicting St. Anthony and St. John the Baptist with engraved sprigs on double-fluted shoulders
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.3cm
  • Width: 2.3cm
  • Depth: 1.3cm
Credit line
Given by Dame Joan Evans
Object history
Acquired at Dunwich, Suffolk, in 1869, presumably by Sir John Evans
Subjects depicted
Summary
Silver or gold 'iconographic' rings engraved with the figures of saints were particularly common in the 14th and 15th century and seem to have been a largely British type. The religious imagery was often combined with romantic inscriptions suggesting that they may sometimes have been used as love gifts or wedding rings. In 1463, John Baret of Bury St Edmunds bequeathed to 'Elizabeth .. my wyf a ryng of golde with an ymage of the Trinite' (Bury Wills, p. 36). They often feature the most venerated saints of the middle ages: Sts Christopher, Catherine, Margaret, Barbara, John the Baptist. The choice of saint was probably dictated by local loyalties, membership of confraternities devoted to a saint or the desire to invoke that saint's help in a particular matter.
Collection
Accession number
M.244-1962

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 2, 2006
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest