Vervel
1600-1650
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A vervel (also spelled 'varvel'), or hawking ring, is a small metal ring, often of silver, which was part of the equipment used by hunters who hunted with birds. A bird had a leather jess, or thong, tied to each leg, at the end of which was a vervel. The vervels had two functions, the most important of which was to identify the bird with its owner, as hunting birds were expensive to train and maintain. Many vervels are engraved with the owner's name and place of residence. The inscription on this one, and on its pair which is also in the V&A (M.143B-1984), states the bird belonged to Sir Henry Lee of Oxford. The other function of the vervel was to attach the jesses on the bird's legs to a leash, which in turn tied the bird to its perch or block.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Physical description | Varvel, silver. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Inscribed round the outside of the ring, in English: '= S Henry Lee K[night] baroet [?baronet]'. |
| Summary | A vervel (also spelled 'varvel'), or hawking ring, is a small metal ring, often of silver, which was part of the equipment used by hunters who hunted with birds. A bird had a leather jess, or thong, tied to each leg, at the end of which was a vervel. The vervels had two functions, the most important of which was to identify the bird with its owner, as hunting birds were expensive to train and maintain. Many vervels are engraved with the owner's name and place of residence. The inscription on this one, and on its pair which is also in the V&A (M.143B-1984), states the bird belonged to Sir Henry Lee of Oxford. The other function of the vervel was to attach the jesses on the bird's legs to a leash, which in turn tied the bird to its perch or block. |
| Bibliographic reference | Lewis, M. and I. Richardson. 'Inscribed vervels'. In: Post-Medieval Archaeology, vol. 51, no. 1 (2017), pp. 194-200. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.143D-1984 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
