Ring
1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The symbol on the bezel of this ring, an image of the Virgin of the Pillar, shows that it comes from the great pilgrimage centre of Saragossa.
Each religious site had its own patron saint. These saints were distinguished from each other by their attributes, which would have been instantly recognisable to any pilgrim, and which were included in their image. The Virgin of Saragossa is always shown with her pillar, either standing on it, as here, or carrying it. These images of the saint were added to all kinds of objects which were sold in large numbers to the faithful. They were worn to invoke the power of the saint to protect the wearer from the dangers of daily life.
Each religious site had its own patron saint. These saints were distinguished from each other by their attributes, which would have been instantly recognisable to any pilgrim, and which were included in their image. The Virgin of Saragossa is always shown with her pillar, either standing on it, as here, or carrying it. These images of the saint were added to all kinds of objects which were sold in large numbers to the faithful. They were worn to invoke the power of the saint to protect the wearer from the dangers of daily life.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Gold set with diamond chips in silver mounts |
Brief description | Gold ring with a tiny Virgin of the Pillar on the bezel surrounded by diamond chips, Saragossa (Spain), 1750-1850. |
Physical description | Gold ring with a flat shank ending in split shoulders. The bezel contains a tiny image of the Virgin of the Pillar surrounded by a ring of diamond chips set in silver mounts. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Subject depicted | |
Summary | The symbol on the bezel of this ring, an image of the Virgin of the Pillar, shows that it comes from the great pilgrimage centre of Saragossa. Each religious site had its own patron saint. These saints were distinguished from each other by their attributes, which would have been instantly recognisable to any pilgrim, and which were included in their image. The Virgin of Saragossa is always shown with her pillar, either standing on it, as here, or carrying it. These images of the saint were added to all kinds of objects which were sold in large numbers to the faithful. They were worn to invoke the power of the saint to protect the wearer from the dangers of daily life. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 235-1864 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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