Ring
late 15th century-early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Silver or gold 'iconographic' rings engraved with the figures of saints were particularly common in the 14th and 15th century and seem to have been a largely British type. The religious imagery was often combined with romantic inscriptions suggesting that they may sometimes have been used as love gifts or wedding rings. In 1463, John Baret of Bury St Edmunds bequeathed to 'Elizabeth .. my wyf a ryng of golde with an ymage of the Trinite' (Bury Wills, p. 36). They often feature the most venerated saints of the middle ages: Sts Christopher, Catherine, Margaret, Barbara, John the Baptist. The choice of saint was probably dictated by local loyalties, membership of confraternities devoted to a saint or the desire to invoke that saint's help in a particular matter.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Engraved silver gilt formerly enamelled |
| Brief description | Silver gilt ring with traces of black enamel, depicting three figures possibly St. Peter between the Virgin Mary and St. Ethelreda, with engraved sprigs on transverse fluted shoulders, England, late 15th to early 16th century |
| Physical description | Silver gilt ring with traces of black enamel, depicting three figures possibly St. Peter between the Virgin Mary and St. Ethelreda, with engraved sprigs on transverse fluted shoulders |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dame Joan Evans |
| Object history | Found in Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, in 1772, allegedly near the grave of Bishop Northwold. The ring was acquired with a label in an 18th century hand reading 'This Antient Ring was found in Ely Cathedral 1772 when the Stone Masons removed the Repository of B. Northwold' and 'The Figures represent the Virgin Mary, St Peter and St Etheldread to whom this Prelate dedicated that church 17th September 1252' Historical significance: Ely Cathedral was dedicated to St. Ethelreda in 1252 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Silver or gold 'iconographic' rings engraved with the figures of saints were particularly common in the 14th and 15th century and seem to have been a largely British type. The religious imagery was often combined with romantic inscriptions suggesting that they may sometimes have been used as love gifts or wedding rings. In 1463, John Baret of Bury St Edmunds bequeathed to 'Elizabeth .. my wyf a ryng of golde with an ymage of the Trinite' (Bury Wills, p. 36). They often feature the most venerated saints of the middle ages: Sts Christopher, Catherine, Margaret, Barbara, John the Baptist. The choice of saint was probably dictated by local loyalties, membership of confraternities devoted to a saint or the desire to invoke that saint's help in a particular matter. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.245-1962 |
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| Record created | March 3, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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