Ring
1400-1500 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Gems have always been prized for the colour and hardness. In the medieval period, they were also believed to possess medicinal and magical properties. Turqouise, which came from Persia and Tibet, was considered a protection against poison, and to prevent falls when out riding. 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.
The inscription on this ring suggests it was presented as a New Year's gift and a token of love and affection.
The inscription on this ring suggests it was presented as a New Year's gift and a token of love and affection.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, engraved; turquoise |
| Brief description | Gold ring, with a polished turquoise in a four-lobed petal setting. The hoop inscribed inside in black letter en bon an ('A good New Year'), possibly England or France, 1400-1500. |
| Physical description | Gold ring, with a polished turquoise in a four-lobed petal setting. The inside of the plain hoop inscribed in black letter en bon an. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | inscribed en bon an (Inside the hoop; in black letter)
|
| Credit line | Given by Dame Joan Evans |
| Association | |
| Summary | Gems have always been prized for the colour and hardness. In the medieval period, they were also believed to possess medicinal and magical properties. Turqouise, which came from Persia and Tibet, was considered a protection against poison, and to prevent falls when out riding. 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. The inscription on this ring suggests it was presented as a New Year's gift and a token of love and affection. |
| Bibliographic reference | Campbell, Marian, Medieval Jewellery in Europe 1100-1500, London, V&A Publishing, 2009, p. 29, fig. 28 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.77-1969 |
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| Record created | March 3, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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