Devotional Iconographic Ring

View Similar Items

Antique Gold Iconographic Band Ring

Late Medieval Iconographic Ring, circa 15th Century

Medieval Iconographic Ring, circa 13th-15th Century

Medieval 15th Century Iconographic Gold Saint Christopher Ring

Late Medieval Iconographic Ring Depicting the Holy Trinity, circa 1470-1480

Medieval Iconographic Ring with the Holy Trinity, English, circa 15th Century

Rose Ring Ring Cocktail Ring J Dauphin

Gold Knot Ring, 14k Solid Gold, Dainty Ring, Minimalist Style Ring, Promise Ring

18k Ring White Gold Ring Diamond Ring Blue Sapphire Ring Blue Sapphire Marquise

Boulder Opal Gold Ring Engagement ring

Black Diamond Ring Double Head Snake Ring Bronze Cocktail Ring J Dauphin

1 of 2

Devotional Iconographic Ring

About the Item

From a large group of rings that are called in the literature “iconographic”, this ring is an especially fine example. The engraved bezel presents a triptych: in the center is the Gnadenstuhl (“Throne of Mercy”) and on the left and right cells appear respectively the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary of the Annunciation. Delicate floral decoration is engraved on the exterior of the band, and on the interior it reads in Gothic script “Sui loyal” (I am loyal [or faithful]).

It is immediately evident that the form itself mimics the triptych in early panel paintings, in which a central panel is flanked by two movable wings. The triptych form was also used in other small-scale jewelry, especially an important group of French and Burgundian reliquary pendants from around 1400. The earliest extant iconographic ring dates from the fourteenth century, and the type continues through the sixteenth century until the Reformation. The earliest example has a simple octagonal bezel; other examples show single vertical cells or double cells separated by a ridge (diptychs), and a very few, like the present one, show triple cells. Rarely are they inscribed, although the closest model, another triple cell ring in the Victoria & Albert Museum, also bears an inscription “for ever” (it appears that the triple cell examples were typically inscribed).

Except for archaeological evidence, which is scanty, there is little direct data to establish a sound chronology. The present ring, however, can be dated by comparison with manuscript illumination. In particular, the style of the figures compares with International Style illumination. Compare, for example, miniatures from the Ushaw Group, artists working in Bruges in the first two decades of the fifteenth century and much influenced by English art (Paris, Bibliotheque de Arsenal, MS 565, f. 43v). The proportions of the figures, the definitions of the folds, and the pose of the angel relate this group of manuscript illumination to the present image. Even the delicate floral decoration is reminiscent of the border decoration of these manuscripts, so-called “before Van Eyck”.

Weight 9.39 grams Height 23.8 mm.; hoop inner diam. 19 mm.; hoop outer diam. 22 mm.; bezel 9 x 11 mm.

Date of Manufacture:
early 15th century
Condition:
excellent.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: PC 261stDibs: JU12020127926