Berlin Iron Signet Ring
From the Journal
I Gave Gold for Iron: The Story of Our Berlin Iron Signet Ring
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A rare Berlin iron signet ring of about 1820, its clover-shaped bezel holding the symbols of faith, hope and charity.Berlin iron jewellery grew out of the Prussian campaign 'Gold gab ich für Eisen' ('I gave gold for iron'), begun in 1813. To fund the war against Napoleon, the Prussian royal family urged citizens to give their gold to the state in exchange for cast iron jewellery. Wearing it became a public sign of loyalty, and many kept wearing it long after the war, until the fashion faded in the later 19th century.Pieces were cast by pressing wax models into fine sand, filling the impression with molten iron and finishing with black lacquer against rust. Here each leaf of the clover holds a cross, a sacred heart or an anchor: faith, hope and charity, read as a prayer for a loved one's safe return. The shoulders carry relief scrolls and flowers.Most surviving Berlin iron is bracelets or necklaces, and rings are far scarcer; notable collections are at the V&A, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen and the Neues Museum. A large size, and a powerful piece of history.Details: c.1820; Berlin iron (Prussia); cast iron; octagonal bezel 15mm x 12mm; band 4mm at the back; UK Y½, US 12¼; 11.97g.Condition: Very good overall, with some small areas of discolouration and surface rust, typical of surviving Berlin iron of this period.
A rare Berlin iron signet ring of about 1820, its clover-shaped bezel holding the symbols of faith, hope and charity.
Berlin iron jewellery grew out of the Prussian campaign 'Gold gab ich für Eisen' ('I gave gold for iron'), begun in 1813. To fund the war against Napoleon, the Prussian royal family urged citizens to give their gold to the state in exchange for cast iron jewellery. Wearing it became a public sign of loyalty, and many kept wearing it long after the war, until the fashion faded in the later 19th century.
Pieces were cast by pressing wax models into fine sand, filling the impression with molten iron and finishing with black lacquer against rust. Here each leaf of the clover holds a cross, a sacred heart or an anchor: faith, hope and charity, read as a prayer for a loved one's safe return. The shoulders carry relief scrolls and flowers.
Most surviving Berlin iron is bracelets or necklaces, and rings are far scarcer; notable collections are at the V&A, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen and the Neues Museum. A large size, and a powerful piece of history.
Details: c.1820; Berlin iron (Prussia); cast iron; octagonal bezel 15mm x 12mm; band 4mm at the back; UK Y½, US 12¼; 11.97g.
Condition: Very good overall, with some small areas of discolouration and surface rust, typical of surviving Berlin iron of this period.
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