Ring
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
possibly 17th century (painted)
18th century (setting)
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Gold set with a crystal enclosing a miniature
- Credit Line:
Bequeathed by Miss A. Cameron
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Temporary Exhibition, room 38, case WN1, shelf CA3
- Download image
After the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649 by the Commonwealth, commemorative jewellery was immediately produced. Locks of the King's hair, painted miniatures and royalist symbols were set into rings, lockets and pendants and worn as a sign of allegiance to the Royalist cause. As wearing such jewellery could be dangerous during the Civil War, many of these objects may have been hidden until the Restoration or produced after the accession of Charles II.
Stuart jewellery continued to be made and worn in the 18th century by followers of the Jacobite cause, supporting the claims of the exiled James II and his son Bonnie Prince Charlie. This ring was probably made in the 18th century but is set with a portrait which appears to have been painted in the mid-17th century.
Physical description
Gold commemorative ring, the oval bezel set with a crystal enclosing a miniature of Charles I.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
possibly 17th century (painted)
18th century (setting)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Gold set with a crystal enclosing a miniature
Dimensions
Height: 2.1 cm, Width: 2.1 cm, Depth: 1.9 cm
Object history note
A note in the Registered Description suggests that it was a family heirloom for the Cameron family before being bequeathed to the V&A in 1909.
Historical context note
Commemorates the death of King Charles I
Descriptive line
Gold commemorative ring, the oval bezel set with a crystal enclosing a miniature of Charles I, England, the miniature possibly 17th century, the setting 18th century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Church, Rachel, Rings, London, V&A Publishing, 2011
Exhibition History
Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars (Victoria and Albert Museum)
The Golden Age of the English Court: From Henry VIII to Charles I (Moscow Kremlin Museums 24 Oct 2012-27 Jan 2013)
Labels and date
Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars label text:
Ring with miniature of Charles I
Miniature about 1649–1700;
setting about 1780
Many pieces of jewellery and miniatures of Charles I were produced after his execution in 1649. They were worn by those who supported the cause of
monarchy and hoped for its restoration. Jewels were also set with locks of the king’s hair and pieces of fabric soaked in his blood.
England
Gold with a miniature painted in enamel set under rock crystal
Bequeathed by Miss A. Cameron
V&A M.1-1909
Materials
Gold; Crystal
Techniques
Painting
Subjects depicted
Mourning; Charles I (King of England); Miniatures (paintings)
Categories
Metalwork; Royalty; Jewellery; Death
Collection code
MET
