finger-ring
- Museum number
- AF.1094
- Description
-
Love-ring; gold; flat hoop keyed for enamel; pierced cube on each shoulder decorated with letters on three sides; from each cube issue two pairs of divergent limbs enclosing pierced trefoils and supporting long pyramidal bezel containing two table emeralds (not original).
- Production date
- 15thC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 0.90 inches
-
Weight: 36 grains
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Text from Dalton 1912, Catalogue of Finger Rings:
A ring of exceptionally graceful workmanship. The enamel is all lost. Two holes at the back of the bezel were connected with the original stone, replaced by modern emeralds.
Engraving from Dalton 1912 reproduced in Diana Scarisbrick, 'Rings: Symbols of power, wealth and affection', London 1993, p. 40 centre below.
Text from Ward, Cherry et al, 'The Ring from Antiquity to the Twentieth Century,' London 1981, pl.151.
The four-sided hoop of this ring was originally enamelled on its outer faces. There is a cube on each shoulder, pierced on three sides with letters forming the word: AMOURS: ('loves'). The technique of placing the inscription in single letters of open-work recalls the Thame ring (Pl. 152). Scrolls issuing from the cubes support the pyramidal open-work bezel, which projects upwards from the ring. The emeralds are replacements, but holes at the back of the bezel would have enabled the original stones to touch the wearer's finger. This ring shows how enamel, open-work decoration and an open-work bezel can be combined.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2005-2006 25 Jul-13 Jan, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2005 12 Feb-26 Jun, Newcastle, Hancock Museum, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2004-2005 1 Oct-15 Jan, Manchester Museum, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2004 30 Apr-21 Sep, Cardiff, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2003-2004 21 Nov-14 Mar, London, BM, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
- Condition
- Enamel is missing.
- Acquisition date
- 1897
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- AF.1094