LOT 1684

Medieval Silver Ring with Crosses

CIRCA 14TH CENTURY A.D.

3/4 in. (2.36 grams, 22.74mm overall, 20.30mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)).

Engraved with two crosses fourchée within a circular frame, flanking crescents. [No Reserve]

English collection, 1980s.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Ex property of an Essex gentleman.
Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.

See Bequest, F., Catalogue of the finger rings Early Christian, Byzantine, Teutonic, Mediaeval and later, London, 1912, no.252, for the typology.

The use of seals became more and more essential during the time when the majority of the population was illiterate; the use of signet rings continued until after the fall of Rome in the West. With the establishment of heraldry, the armorial signet was generally adopted by all those entitled to bear arms. A considerable proportion of medieval rings were signets, with portraits, names or monograms, and emblems such as the cross, most of these having the designs cut in a metal bezel.