Ring
late 16th century-early 17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The hoop of this ring can be divided into two interlocked circles. Rings made in this way are called gimmel rings, from the Latin word for twin. These rings were especially popular as love gifts, the join of the hoops symbolising the bond between lovers. The two hoops are inscribed 'WER MICH VA-ER DENCK SEINIT' and 'DECHTER S SOV- OSER MEIN' - which though difficult to translate, appears to be a romantic posy.
When open, the bezel of this ring reveals a small cavity. A similar ring in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York holds a tiny enamelled baby on one side and a skeleton on the other, a reminder of the human trajectory from birth to death.
When open, the bezel of this ring reveals a small cavity. A similar ring in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York holds a tiny enamelled baby on one side and a skeleton on the other, a reminder of the human trajectory from birth to death.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, enamelled and set with a table-cut diamond, a ruby and sapphire and emerald |
| Brief description | Gold gimmel ring with a pyramidal bezel divisible into two, cusped and enamelled with moresques on the sides and shoulders and set with a table-cut diamond, a ruby and a sapphire and emerald, Germany, late 16th to early 17th century |
| Physical description | Gold gimmel ring with a pyramidal bezel divisible into two, cusped and enamelled with moresques on the sides and shoulders and set with a table-cut diamond, a ruby and a sapphire and emerald. The two hoops are inscribed 'WER MICH VA-ER DENCK SEINIT' and 'DECHTER S SOV- OSER MEIN'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The hoop of this ring can be divided into two interlocked circles. Rings made in this way are called gimmel rings, from the Latin word for twin. These rings were especially popular as love gifts, the join of the hoops symbolising the bond between lovers. The two hoops are inscribed 'WER MICH VA-ER DENCK SEINIT' and 'DECHTER S SOV- OSER MEIN' - which though difficult to translate, appears to be a romantic posy. When open, the bezel of this ring reveals a small cavity. A similar ring in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York holds a tiny enamelled baby on one side and a skeleton on the other, a reminder of the human trajectory from birth to death. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 22-1865 |
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| Record created | November 17, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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