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Ring

Ring

  • Place of origin:

    England, Great Britain (made)

  • Date:

    1550-1600 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Gold, chased and enamelled

  • Credit Line:

    Bequeathed by Miss Charlotte Frances Gerard

  • Museum number:

    13-1888

  • Gallery location:

    Temporary Exhibition, room 38, case WN1, shelf CA6

  • Download image

Object Type
The bezel (head) of this ring is enamelled in white with a death's head surrounded by the inscription 'BE HOLD THE ENDE'. The second inscription, 'RATHER DEATH THAN FALS FAYTH', runs round the edge. On the reverse of the bezel are the initials 'ML' connected by a true lover's knot.

Ownership & Use
This ring appears to be both a memento mori ring, which reminds the wearer that she or he must die, and a marriage ring. The second inscription on the ring ('RATHER DEATH THAN FALS FAYTH' ) and the true lover's knot that unites the two initials suggest that it was used as a betrothal or marriage ring by 'M' and 'L', although we do not know who they were. The solemn vows of marriage are associated with death: 'till death us do part'. Although it may seem strange to have a death's head on a wedding ring, the remembrance of death is in the marriage service.

People
In the past it was thought that the ring was a gift from Charles I (ruled 1625-1649) to Archbishop William Juxon (1582-1663) on the day of the King's execution, 30 January 1649. We do not have any evidence to support this story.

Place of Origin

England, Great Britain (made)

Date

1550-1600 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Gold, chased and enamelled

Marks and inscriptions

inscribed 'BE HOLD THE ENDE' and 'RATHER DEATH THAN FALS FAYTH'

Dimensions

Height: 2 cm estimated, including scrolls, Width: 1 cm estimated, Diameter: 2.3 cm estimated

Object history note

Made in England;

Aspects of Age Exhibition RF.2005/727

Descriptive line

Memento mori ring

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)
Aspects of Age, Death and Memento Mori (Schnütgen-Museum, Köln 07/09/2006-26/11/2006)

Labels and date

British Galleries:
It was not uncommon to associate the vows of marriage with the remembrance of death. The true lovers' knot and inscription on this ring suggest it marked a betrothal or marriage. Rings were also given to family and friends at a funeral, in commemoration of the dead. [27/03/2003]
Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars label text:

Memento mori ring
1550–1600

Jewels decorated with skulls, coffins and crossbones reminded the wearer of the need to live a moral life because death and judgement were inevitable. The
inscription ‘Rather death than fals fayth’ and the intertwined initials suggest that this ring was a lover’s gift.

England
Engraved gold and enamel
Inscribed ‘Be hold the ende’ and ‘Rather death than fals fayth’,
and initialled ‘ML’
Bequeathed by Charlotte Frances Gerard
V&A 13-1888

Materials

Gold; Enamel

Categories

Jewellery; Death; Marriage

Collection code

MET

Download image
Qr_O77393
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