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An exceptionally rare late 13th century Medieval period gold ring, made either France or England, circa 1280!
This Medieval high-karat gold ring is set with a large 11ct irregular-shaped garnet cabochon. The 13th century ring-type is what Victorian collectors called ‘pie-dish’ or ‘moule à tarte’ (tart-mold) rings, due to the settings resemblance to the shape of a pastry crust. The garnet stone sits neatly inside of the octagonal box-shaped bezel which possesses a delicately scooped profile. The protruding bezel adjoins a solid gold hoop of circular cross-section.
Rings of this type were particulalry popular during the last decades of the 13th century. In this period, gemstones were considered to have amuletic and talismanic powers. Lapidaries (Medieval books on the magical and curative powers of gemstones) index the abilities of garnets to protect against poisons, plague, and even ward off nightmares.
Cabochon-cut garnet gemstones were particularly prized amongst Clergy and nobility. The church believed the stone represented the blood of Christ, whilst royalty wore garnet jewellery for its unique protective qualities. Based upon the choice of gemstone, and its impressive quality, it is very likely that this ring would have been worn by a high ranking noble or clergyman.
The present ring is closely related to two examples in the famed Alice & Louis Koch Collection; see items 560 and 566 (Swiss National Museum), as well as a ring in the Hermitage Museum (30-738), the Victoria & Albert Museum (M.285-1962), and the British Museum (AF.1817). There are also six additional 13th century pie-dish rings recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, found by metal detectorists across the UK. These finds have been analysed by the British Museum and subsequently recorded as ‘Treasure’ on the database (see final slide for photos of these related examples and their corresponding accession numbers).
Despite its significant age, remarkably the ring remains in original and museum-worthy condition.
UK size R 1/2 / US size 9
The ring tests as solid 22K gold, and weighs approximately 6.2 grams in weight. The garnet measures 9mm by 6mm, whilst the octagonal bezel measures 14mm by 15mm and protrudes 5mm outwards. The ring hoop has a diameter of 2mm.
An exceptionally rare late 13th century Medieval period gold ring, made either France or England, circa 1280!
This Medieval high-karat gold ring is set with a large 11ct irregular-shaped garnet cabochon. The 13th century ring-type is what Victorian collectors called ‘pie-dish’ or ‘moule à tarte’ (tart-mold) rings, due to the settings resemblance to the shape of a pastry crust. The garnet stone sits neatly inside of the octagonal box-shaped bezel which possesses a delicately scooped profile. The protruding bezel adjoins a solid gold hoop of circular cross-section.
Rings of this type were particulalry popular during the last decades of the 13th century. In this period, gemstones were considered to have amuletic and talismanic powers. Lapidaries (Medieval books on the magical and curative powers of gemstones) index the abilities of garnets to protect against poisons, plague, and even ward off nightmares.
Cabochon-cut garnet gemstones were particularly prized amongst Clergy and nobility. The church believed the stone represented the blood of Christ, whilst royalty wore garnet jewellery for its unique protective qualities. Based upon the choice of gemstone, and its impressive quality, it is very likely that this ring would have been worn by a high ranking noble or clergyman.
The present ring is closely related to two examples in the famed Alice & Louis Koch Collection; see items 560 and 566 (Swiss National Museum), as well as a ring in the Hermitage Museum (30-738), the Victoria & Albert Museum (M.285-1962), and the British Museum (AF.1817). There are also six additional 13th century pie-dish rings recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, found by metal detectorists across the UK. These finds have been analysed by the British Museum and subsequently recorded as ‘Treasure’ on the database (see final slide for photos of these related examples and their corresponding accession numbers).
Despite its significant age, remarkably the ring remains in original and museum-worthy condition.
UK size R 1/2 / US size 9
The ring tests as solid 22K gold, and weighs approximately 6.2 grams in weight. The garnet measures 9mm by 6mm, whilst the octagonal bezel measures 14mm by 15mm and protrudes 5mm outwards. The ring hoop has a diameter of 2mm.
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