Renaissance Papal Ring
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Renaissance Papal Ring
About the Item
Derived from the fact that many of the extant examples are engraved with crossed keys and the papal tiara, the nomenclature “papal” ring is nevertheless misleading. Two other types of rings are more strictly speaking “papal”. Called “pontifical” in contemporary documents, the first type was worn by bishops and other ecclesiastics at High Mass over gloves. Likewise large in size, these “pontifical” rings were made exclusively of gold and composed of precious stones, such as sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and pearls, often set in a magnificent cluster. A letter by Pope Clement IV in 1265 mentions the second type of papal ring, called the “Fisherman’s Seal”, used to sign private papal correspondence. This ring, also cast of massive gold, bears an image of the first pope St. Peter, a fisherman by trade, in a boat casting his net, along with the name in Latin of the pontiff. Given during the consecration of the pope, the Ring of the Fisherman is ceremoniously crushed at the death of each pope, which explains the absence of extant examples.
Evidently, no contemporary documents describe the function of “papal” rings, even if some are listed in princely inventories. The fact that certain of these rings bear the arms of secular rulers, while others prominently display the arms of both a pope and a monarch on the same ring, argues against their exclusive use by the papacy. Numerous theories have been advanced: that they were used in church ceremonies, their large size enabling them to be seen from afar, or that they were given as investiture at the transfer of papal fiefs or high offices. Another hypothesis, favored by Dalton, suggests that delegates wore them as credentials on papal business. A date at mid-century for the present ring is confirmed by its comparison with two papal rings in the British Museum, ascribed to two successive popes Calixtus III (1455-58) and Pius II, Piccolomini (1458-64). These comparisons make the likely owner Giacomello Trivulzio (d. 1463), ducal legate, ambassador of the Pope, and magistrate of the Ambrosian Republic, among his many other functions. Might he have obtained the present ring when he was invested with the fief of Codogno in 1453? In spite of the large number of extant examples, “papal” rings now rarely change hands.
Weight 60.35 grams
Height 38 mm.; hoop inner diam. 19 mm.; hoop outer diam. 32 mm; bezel 22 x 20.5 mm.
- Place of Origin:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1450-70
- Condition:The gilding is worn, and the state of conservation of the surfaces suggests that this ring was used.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: PC 291stDibs: JU12020127927
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