Ring thumbnail 1
Ring thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Ring

ca. 1788 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Rings set with portrait miniatures of the sovereign and other public figures were popular and widely distributed. The most expensive included finely painted miniatures, gemstones or carved cameos or intaglios but cheaper alternatives were made for a wider market.

James Tassie (1735-99) and the chemist Dr Quinn developed a glass paste that could successfully imitate antique cameos and was also used to create modern gems. This portrait has the fine detailing and appearance of a cameo but at the lower cost of a Tassie paste. This ring was a gift from Edward, Duke of Kent and is inscribed on the back Edward, Duke of Kent, to William St. Clair. 25th Regiment. 1788.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold set with a paste (glass) cameo
Brief description
Enamelled gold ring, the oval bezel set with a Tassie paste cameo of a Edward, Duke of Kent. Inscribed on the back of the bezel Edward, Duke of Kent, to William St. Clair. 25th Regiment. 1788, England, dated 1788
Physical description
Enamelled gold ring, the oval bezel set with a Tassie paste cameo of a man. Inscribed on the back of the bezel Edward, Duke of Kent, to William St. Clair. 25th Regiment. 1788
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.5cm
  • Width: 2.2cm
  • Depth: 3cm
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed Edward, Duke of Kent, to William St. Clair. 25th Regiment. 1788 (on the back of the bezel)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Major W.F. St. Clair
Subjects depicted
Summary
Rings set with portrait miniatures of the sovereign and other public figures were popular and widely distributed. The most expensive included finely painted miniatures, gemstones or carved cameos or intaglios but cheaper alternatives were made for a wider market.

James Tassie (1735-99) and the chemist Dr Quinn developed a glass paste that could successfully imitate antique cameos and was also used to create modern gems. This portrait has the fine detailing and appearance of a cameo but at the lower cost of a Tassie paste. This ring was a gift from Edward, Duke of Kent and is inscribed on the back Edward, Duke of Kent, to William St. Clair. 25th Regiment. 1788.
Collection
Accession number
M.93-1969

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Record createdJuly 13, 2006
Record URL
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