Five hundred years ago, someone in England wore three saints on one finger. Our 15th-century iconographic ring is a broad, faceted silver-gilt hoop that widens at the front into three engraved panels: St Christopher on the left, the Madonna and Child in the centre and St Barbara on the right.
What is an iconographic ring?
Iconographic rings are a distinctly late medieval type, worn in England in the decades around 1400 to 1500. Their bezels are engraved with sacred figures, often in several panels. They were not simply decorative. In a world of personal devotion, protection and intercession, a ring like this was a portable religious image, worn directly against the body all day.
Both men and women wore them. Portraits of the period show rings worn in quantity across all the fingers, rather than one at a time. Surviving examples suggest they also served as devotional gifts, betrothal tokens and New Year's gifts.
The three saints
St Christopher, who carried the Christ Child across a river, was among the most popular saints of the late Middle Ages, invoked for protection on journeys.
The Madonna and Child take the central place of honour, as the focus of medieval devotion and intercession.
St Barbara was widely invoked against sudden death. Paired with St Christopher, she makes this a deeply protective ring, a small daily prayer for safety.
Silver, gold and time
The ring is made of silver, originally covered with gilding. Much of that gold has worn away, revealing the darker silver beneath and giving the ring a strong archaeological patina. Even so, the figures remain clearly legible. The shoulders carry engraved foliage, and twisted ridges run around the back of the band. The structure is sound and the ring can still be worn with care.
In museum company
Medieval iconographic rings are found in major collections. The Victoria and Albert Museum holds an example (M.245-1962) reportedly found in Ely Cathedral in 1772, near the supposed grave of Bishop Northwold. The British Museum has a 15th-century iconographic ring found at Fressingfield in Suffolk.
The details
- England, 15th century
- Silver-gilt, with traces of original gilding
- Approx. 1cm wide at the front, 5mm at the back
- Weight 7.45g
- UK size U / US 10
Few objects bring you closer to the inner life of a medieval person. View the iconographic ring, or explore our ancient and early jewellery.