Ring
1350-1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Rings engraved with religious figures or scenes are often known as ‘iconographic rings’. They were decorated with the popular saints of the middle ages: Catherine, Barbara,
Christopher, George and Margaret as well as figures of the Virgin Mary, Christ or the Three Kings. These rings were worn as a sign of faith but were also believed to offer protection from both spiritual and earthly dangers. Pregnant women prayed to St Margaret for a safe delivery whilst travellers appealed to St Christopher.
The hoop of this ring is engraved with the motto 'Gaude Virgo Mater XPI' (Rejoice in the mother of Christ).
Christopher, George and Margaret as well as figures of the Virgin Mary, Christ or the Three Kings. These rings were worn as a sign of faith but were also believed to offer protection from both spiritual and earthly dangers. Pregnant women prayed to St Margaret for a safe delivery whilst travellers appealed to St Christopher.
The hoop of this ring is engraved with the motto 'Gaude Virgo Mater XPI' (Rejoice in the mother of Christ).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved gold |
| Brief description | Gold ring, depicting the Virgin and Child, with traces of enamel, the hoop inscribed in lombardic characters +GAVDE VIRGO MATER XPI (Rejoice in the Virgin, Mother of Christ), England, 1350-1400. |
| Physical description | Gold ring, depicting the Virgin and Child, with traces of enamel, the hoop inscribed in lombardic characters +GAVDE VIRGO MATER XPI |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | inscribed +GAVDE VIRGO MATER XPI (the hoop; in lombardic characters)
|
| Object history | Sold from the Rosenheim collection at Sotheby's, March 9, 1923, lot 96, then sold to the museum by Mrs A.G.B. Russell in 1956. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Rings engraved with religious figures or scenes are often known as ‘iconographic rings’. They were decorated with the popular saints of the middle ages: Catherine, Barbara, Christopher, George and Margaret as well as figures of the Virgin Mary, Christ or the Three Kings. These rings were worn as a sign of faith but were also believed to offer protection from both spiritual and earthly dangers. Pregnant women prayed to St Margaret for a safe delivery whilst travellers appealed to St Christopher. The hoop of this ring is engraved with the motto 'Gaude Virgo Mater XPI' (Rejoice in the mother of Christ). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.8-1956 |
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| Record created | March 2, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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