Ring
1600-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This intricate wedding ring is decorated with symbols of love and quotations from the marriage ceremony. The central motif comes from the Italian mani in fede (hands clasped in faith), which was a popular symbol of love. The three connecting hoops, each with an attached hand or heart, fit together and appear as one band when worn. The inscriptions can only be read when the hoops of the ring are opened out.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, enamelled and set with a diamond |
| Brief description | Marriage gimmel ring, enamelled gold set with a diamond. Inscribed in German, 'my beginning and my end' and 'What God has joined together let no man put asunder'. Germany, about 1600-50. |
| Physical description | A gimmel ring made of three interlocking hoops. When worn the diamond-set heart at the front of the ring is encircled by a pair of clasped hands |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dame Joan Evans |
| Historical context | The second quotation from the marriage service, indicates that the ring was used as a marriage ring |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This intricate wedding ring is decorated with symbols of love and quotations from the marriage ceremony. The central motif comes from the Italian mani in fede (hands clasped in faith), which was a popular symbol of love. The three connecting hoops, each with an attached hand or heart, fit together and appear as one band when worn. The inscriptions can only be read when the hoops of the ring are opened out. |
| Bibliographic reference | Illustrated on cover of Gender, Sexuality, and Material Objects in English Renaissance Verse, Pamela S. Hammons |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.224-1975 |
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| Record created | January 7, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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