Items Similar to Scarce Medieval Gold Garnet Ring Antique 13th Century Talisman Signet Ring
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16
Scarce Medieval Gold Garnet Ring Antique 13th Century Talisman Signet Ring
$20,411.92
£15,000
€17,622.51
CA$28,042.51
A$31,306.82
CHF 16,404.31
MX$383,226.26
NOK 208,334.84
SEK 196,433.30
DKK 131,518.60
About the Item
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, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the British Museum. 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.
Resizing is available.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2019
1stDibs seller since 2022
46 sales on 1stDibs
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllScarce Antique Catalan 18th Century Gold Foiled Rose Cut Perpignan Garnet Ring
Located in London, GB
This antique conversion piece started life as a regional ‘Croix Badine’ (Badine cross) dating to the late 18th century, the most emblematic jewel of the Catalan part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The badine cross is a regional cross mounted with rose cut and foiled Perpignan garnets...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Georgian Solitaire Rings
Materials
Garnet, Gold
Antique Gold Indonesian Bali Garnet Ring 19th Century Hummingbird Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
A scarce late 19th century gold ‘priest’s ring’ from the island of Bali, Indonesia.
The ring is a fantastic example of the southern Balinese style, where ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Engagement Rings
Materials
Gold
Ancient Javanese Gold Ring with Ruby Cabochon Java Indonesian Antique Solitaire
Located in London, GB
A scarce early Javanese gold and ruby ring dating from the 7th-15th century Indonesian Classical period.
As expected with Javanese gem-set gold rings m...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Javanese Signet Rings
Materials
Ruby, Gold
Antique Indian Gold Ruby Cabochon Ring Mughal Period
Located in London, GB
A scarce late Mughal period Indian gold and ruby ring dating from the mid-19th century.
The cabochon cut ruby is belcher set in an open-backed mount and weighs approximately 1ct. Th...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Materials
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold
Rare Elizabethan 16th Century Gold Cupid Ring Renaissance Gold Ring Womens
Located in London, GB
This exquisite Elizabethan gold ring dates to the mid-16th century (c.1570) and features a circular bezel set with a high-relief cameo of Cupid, delicately carved in white chalcedony...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Engagement Rings
Materials
Chalcedony, 22k Gold
Ancient Roman Gold Mens Signet Ring Conical Intaglio Ring Gem Carving
Located in London, GB
A superb ancient Roman agate intaglio ring. The high-karat gold signet ring is set with an engraved gemstone, known as an ‘intaglio’. It dates from between the 2nd to 3rd century AD and is a fine example of a Romano-British intaglio.
The conical-shaped agate gemstone displays various bands of colour ranging from honey brown to greyish-blue. The engraving depicts the bust of a man wearing a helmet, possibly winged which would depict Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, financial gain and communication. In Roman times, people would wear rings with the intaglio of Mercury in hope that the he would protect them and bless them with good financial fortune in their lives.
A number of referenced examples of similar ancient Roman conical shaped intaglios reside in notable museums all across the world, from the British Museum to the Louvre. A page with these examples and their sources can be found in the final photos of the listing. Similar examples can also be found in the extensive Alice and Louis Koch collection (items: 234, 235, 241, 301). Again see final images for reference.
The gold ring mount is of D-shaped cross-section and a hollow 22K gold construction. The ring has a fantastic smooth silk-like texture when worn. It remains in good overall condition and the intaglio is very secure in the mount. The gold mount dates to the late 18th to early 19th century, and the shape is inspired by ancient Roman ring...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings
Materials
Agate, 22k Gold
You May Also Like
'Bossingham' Medieval Garnet ring, circa 13th century.
Located in London, GB
'Bossingham' Medieval garnet ring. Set to centre with a oval cabochon natural garnet in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight o...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Medieval Solitaire Rings
Materials
Garnet, Gold
Medieval Garnet Cabochon Ring, circa 1200-1400
Located in London, GB
Medieval garnet cabochon ring. Set to centre with a single octagonal cabochon natural unenhanced garnet in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 8.00 carats, to an octagonal 'pie-dish' bezel design, leading to intricately carved shoulders and flowing through to a solid shank. Tested yellow gold, circa 1200-1400 century...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Medieval Signet Rings
Materials
Garnet, Yellow Gold
Medieval Garnet Gold Ring, circa 13th-15th Century
Located in London, GB
Medieval garnet gold ring. Set with a rectangular faceted garnet in a closed back rubover setting, to a scalloped quatrefoil bezel, the smoothly integrated shoulders leading through ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown More Rings
Materials
Garnet, Gold
Vintage Garnet Cabochon and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Sat proud upon a gorgeous glossy 9ct yellow gold band is an equally glossy garnet cabochon stone. Made in Birmingham 1990, England.
Ring Size: O 1/2 or 7 1/2
Stone Dimensions: 14x1...
Category
1990s British Signet Rings
Materials
Garnet, Gold
Vintage Garnet Cabochon and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Sat proud upon a gorgeous glossy 9ct yellow gold band is an equally glossy garnet cabochon stone. The stone nearly spans the whole width of this ring. Made in London 1993, England.
...
Category
1990s British Signet Rings
Materials
Garnet, Gold
Gold Ring With Large Oval Garnet Cabochon Merovingian 4th-6th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
A Merovingian gold ring with an oval bezel that secures a large red garnet cabochon.
The Merovingian, named after Chlodio, the legendary progenitor of...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Signet Rings
Materials
Garnet, Gold
More Ways To Browse
Antique Garnet Cabochon
Signet Ring Engagement
Garnet Cabochon Victorian
Slider Ring
Antique Medieval Jewelry
Large Gold Signet Rings
Signet Ring Antique Victorian
Antique Medieval Ring
22k Gold Victorian
Antique French Signet Ring
R Signet Ring
Antique Metal Scoop
Blood Stone Signet Ring
Victorian Poison Ring
Antique Poison Rings
18k Rolex Black Dial
Diamond Dress Watch
1970s Oyster Rolex