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Ring thumbnail 2
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Ring

1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The symbol on the bezel of this ring, an image of the Virgin of the Pillar, shows that it comes from the great pilgrimage centre of Saragossa.

Each religious site had its own patron saint. These saints were distinguished from each other by their attributes, which would have been instantly recognisable to any pilgrim, and which were included in their image. The Virgin of Saragossa is always shown with her pillar, either standing on it, as here, or carrying it. These images of the saint were added to all kinds of objects which were sold in large numbers to the faithful. They were worn to invoke the power of the saint to protect the wearer from the dangers of daily life.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold set with diamond chips in silver mounts
Brief description
Gold ring with a tiny Virgin of the Pillar on the bezel surrounded by diamond chips, Saragossa (Spain), 1750-1850.
Physical description
Gold ring with a flat shank ending in split shoulders. The bezel contains a tiny image of the Virgin of the Pillar surrounded by a ring of diamond chips set in silver mounts.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 2.1cm
  • Height: 1.4cm
Height of bezel
Marks and inscriptions
  • Lion rampant in oval frame. (On outside of shank.)
    Translation
    Town mark for Zaragoza, 18th and 19th century.
  • Triangle in rounded frame. (On outside of shank.)
    Translation
    Mark of unidentified maker.
Subject depicted
Summary
The symbol on the bezel of this ring, an image of the Virgin of the Pillar, shows that it comes from the great pilgrimage centre of Saragossa.

Each religious site had its own patron saint. These saints were distinguished from each other by their attributes, which would have been instantly recognisable to any pilgrim, and which were included in their image. The Virgin of Saragossa is always shown with her pillar, either standing on it, as here, or carrying it. These images of the saint were added to all kinds of objects which were sold in large numbers to the faithful. They were worn to invoke the power of the saint to protect the wearer from the dangers of daily life.
Collection
Accession number
235-1864

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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