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A scarce late Renaissance gold ring, made in Western Europe, circa 1580-1620!
The quatrefoil bezel takes the form of a flower petals and contains a shallow table-cut rock crystal. The boxed bezel is cuffed on each side and intricately chased with decorative engravings. The shoulders are scrolled with volutes and the chasework continues down the shank which narrows towards the base.
Rings of this design type were made throughout Europe during the last decades of the Renaissance and were worn as marriage rings. Rock crystal was highly prized for its hardness and brilliance, often preferred over diamonds for use in marriage rings. In this period, gemstones were considered to have amuletic and talismanic powers. Lapidaries of the Middle Ages index the abilities of gems to cure ailments, ward off sickness, or even bring prosperity, love, or victory. Rock crystals were considered a symbol of purity, and consequently were used in reliquaries and other objects related to the Church.
Literature: The present ring is closely related to two examples in major collections; see items 678 and 679 in ‘Rings; The Alice and Louis Koch Collection’ / Swiss National Museum, as well as a 16th century ring recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database (treasure ID: DEV-EBF9A7).
Condition: Despite its significant age, the ring remains in wearable, unaltered, original condition. There is some discolouration to the area underneath the rock crystal and the petalled section of the bezel would have originally been enamelled however has since lots its enamel - only traces remain (see final images for reference).
UK size O 1/2 / US size 7.5
Tested as high karat gold (above 18K) and weighs approximately 2.65g in weight. The rock crystal measures 5mm in diameter and the box bezel protrudes 4.8mm off the finger. The head of the quatrefoil bezel measures 1cm across.
During the Renaissance, finger rings developed from the simple forms of the medieval period into miniature works of art, combining the skills of the chaser, engraver and enameller as well as the stone cutter. Cabochon settings remained in use but developments in stone cutting saw the increasing use of table cuts.
A scarce late Renaissance gold ring, made in Western Europe, circa 1580-1620!
The quatrefoil bezel takes the form of a flower petals and contains a shallow table-cut rock crystal. The boxed bezel is cuffed on each side and intricately chased with decorative engravings. The shoulders are scrolled with volutes and the chasework continues down the shank which narrows towards the base.
Rings of this design type were made throughout Europe during the last decades of the Renaissance and were worn as marriage rings. Rock crystal was highly prized for its hardness and brilliance, often preferred over diamonds for use in marriage rings. In this period, gemstones were considered to have amuletic and talismanic powers. Lapidaries of the Middle Ages index the abilities of gems to cure ailments, ward off sickness, or even bring prosperity, love, or victory. Rock crystals were considered a symbol of purity, and consequently were used in reliquaries and other objects related to the Church.
Literature: The present ring is closely related to two examples in major collections; see items 678 and 679 in ‘Rings; The Alice and Louis Koch Collection’ / Swiss National Museum, as well as a 16th century ring recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database (treasure ID: DEV-EBF9A7).
Condition: Despite its significant age, the ring remains in wearable, unaltered, original condition. There is some discolouration to the area underneath the rock crystal and the petalled section of the bezel would have originally been enamelled however has since lots its enamel - only traces remain (see final images for reference).
UK size O 1/2 / US size 7.5
Tested as high karat gold (above 18K) and weighs approximately 2.65g in weight. The rock crystal measures 5mm in diameter and the box bezel protrudes 4.8mm off the finger. The head of the quatrefoil bezel measures 1cm across.
During the Renaissance, finger rings developed from the simple forms of the medieval period into miniature works of art, combining the skills of the chaser, engraver and enameller as well as the stone cutter. Cabochon settings remained in use but developments in stone cutting saw the increasing use of table cuts.
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