Signet Ring
1600-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The bezel of this signet ring is engraved with the letters 'S' and 'P' and the inscription 'PONE DNE SIGNUM SALVTIS'. This can be translated as 'Place, O Lord, a sign of salvation' and is the beginning of a prayer found in the Prayerbook of Margaret of Croy (c.1430-50), and in various collections of antiphons and polyphonic music, particularly a setting by Thomas Crecquillon (c. 1505-1557).
The prayer reads:
'Place, O Lord, a sign of salvation on these houses and do not permit the avenging angel to enter the houses in which we have lived.
I will place my sign, said the Lord, and I will protect you and the plague will not be brought to you'.
The prayerbook of Margaret of Croy uses this prayer as part of an orison to St Sebastian, belived to be able to offer protection against the plague. It is therefore likely that this ring was worn in the hope of repulsing the plague, one of the most feared diseases of the middle ages. The capital A in the centre of the ring might also be read as a Tau cross, associated with St Anthony and worn as a protection against sickness.
The prayer reads:
'Place, O Lord, a sign of salvation on these houses and do not permit the avenging angel to enter the houses in which we have lived.
I will place my sign, said the Lord, and I will protect you and the plague will not be brought to you'.
The prayerbook of Margaret of Croy uses this prayer as part of an orison to St Sebastian, belived to be able to offer protection against the plague. It is therefore likely that this ring was worn in the hope of repulsing the plague, one of the most feared diseases of the middle ages. The capital A in the centre of the ring might also be read as a Tau cross, associated with St Anthony and worn as a protection against sickness.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved gilt bronze |
| Brief description | Gilt bronze signet ring, the bezel engraved with a coat of arms with 'A' between the letters 'S.P.'and inscribed 'PONE DNE SIGNVM SALVTIS' (Place, O Lord, a sign of salvation), Europe, 1600-1700. |
| Physical description | Gilt bronze signet ring, the bezel engraved with a coat of arms with 'A' between the letters 'S.P.'and inscribed 'PONE DNE SIGNVM SALVTIS' |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The bezel of this signet ring is engraved with the letters 'S' and 'P' and the inscription 'PONE DNE SIGNUM SALVTIS'. This can be translated as 'Place, O Lord, a sign of salvation' and is the beginning of a prayer found in the Prayerbook of Margaret of Croy (c.1430-50), and in various collections of antiphons and polyphonic music, particularly a setting by Thomas Crecquillon (c. 1505-1557). The prayer reads: 'Place, O Lord, a sign of salvation on these houses and do not permit the avenging angel to enter the houses in which we have lived. I will place my sign, said the Lord, and I will protect you and the plague will not be brought to you'. The prayerbook of Margaret of Croy uses this prayer as part of an orison to St Sebastian, belived to be able to offer protection against the plague. It is therefore likely that this ring was worn in the hope of repulsing the plague, one of the most feared diseases of the middle ages. The capital A in the centre of the ring might also be read as a Tau cross, associated with St Anthony and worn as a protection against sickness. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.203-1930 |
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| Record created | November 25, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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