Ring
1300-1400 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This gold ring is set with a sapphire, a popular choice of stone in the Middle Ages, worn by the nobility or royalty, the gem being by far the most valuable part of the ring. Gem rings were considered to have amuletic and protective power. Sapphires were believed by some writers to promote chastity,peace and reconciliation and to cure snake bites, also to have cooling powers to cure headaches and heal ulcers.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Engraved gold, sapphire |
Brief description | Gold ring, the hexagonal bezel set with a sapphire, the shoulders decorated with chased dragon-heads, possibly France, 1300-1400. |
Physical description | Gold ring, the cusped hexagonal bezel set with a sapphire. The shoulders of the bifaceted hoop decorated with chased dragon-heads, the base with a stylized cross motif. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | From the Edmund Waterton collection. Said to be from Amiens. Historical significance: This gold ring is set with a sapphire, a popular choice of stone in the Middle Ages, worn by the nobility or royalty, the gem being by far the most valuable part of the ring. Gem rings were considered to have amuletic and protective power. Sapphires were believed by some writers to promote chastity,peace and reconciliation and to cure snake bites, also to have cooling powers to cure headaches and heal ulcers. |
Historical context | Rings set with gems were popular with all those who could afford them in the Middle Ages, and the most common stones used were sapphire, ruby, garnet, amethyst and rock crystal. Each stone was considered to have a different virtu or magical power, and gem-set rings were thought to have protective and amuletic powers. |
Production | said to be from Amiens |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This gold ring is set with a sapphire, a popular choice of stone in the Middle Ages, worn by the nobility or royalty, the gem being by far the most valuable part of the ring. Gem rings were considered to have amuletic and protective power. Sapphires were believed by some writers to promote chastity,peace and reconciliation and to cure snake bites, also to have cooling powers to cure headaches and heal ulcers. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 642-1871 |
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Record created | March 14, 2006 |
Record URL |
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