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Medieval 14th-15th Century Gold and Sapphire Engraved Amuletic Stirrup Ring

Name: Medieval 14th-15th Century Gold and Sapphire Engraved Amuletic Stirrup Ring
Brand: Unknown
Rating: 5 (8 reviews)

Price:$4,676.63

$5,845.79List Price

About the Item

An elaborate and rare example of a Medieval ring set with a sapphire dating to circa 1400! The high carat gold D-shaped band is hollow in nature and the hoop extends outwards at the bezel into a distinctive medieval finger-ring shape, named by Victorian collectors as a ‘stirrup ring’ (due to the shape resembling a horse stirrup). Further research and study into this genre of the ring has concluded the ‘stirrup’ shape is likely a representation of Gothic arches, as found in the ornate windows of Cathedrals of the period. These rings were in fashion from the twelfth century well into the fourteenth century. The gold ring is set with a polished dark blue sapphire cabochon. In Medieval times, gemstone rings were considered to have amuletic and talismanic power. Sapphires were particularly prized by the ecclesiastical community. The celestial blue colour was described by the writer Bartholomeus Anglicus (died 1272) as ‘most like heaven’ and they were associated with the Virgin Mary, often depicted wearing a blue gown. Sapphires were also believed to promote chastity, peace and to incline God to hear prayers favourably. For these reasons, They they were often found in English and French tombs of high-ranking clergymen, such as Bishop’s, Abbots and Priors. Even outside of the ecclesiastical community, sapphires were a favourite choice in the Middle Ages, though so rare that they were reserved solely for royalty, upper nobility and certain high ranking clergymen. Books known as ‘lapidaries’ listed the powers attributed to each stone. The Liber Lapidum of Marbodus of Rennes (1067-81) was one of the most widely read and claimed that sapphires could protect the body, cool fevers and headaches, calm the eyes and cure stammers. The sapphires found in Medieval jewellery were mined in Sri Lanka, and were brought along the Silk Road - as they had been in Roman times - and through Constantinople to Venice, Genoa and other European port cities. Gems were the most valuable element of a ring, and those from distant lands were the most costly and desirable. In the medieval period, stones were not generally cut, but polished into a rounded form, known as ‘cabochon’, as in this example. This ring, with its prominent setting and chased foliate decoration on the hoop is a particularly elaborate example of a sapphire ring of the period. A near identical example is recorded in the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, which is managed by the British Museum and records archaeological finds discovered by the public, usually treasure found through metal-detecting etc. Then the top experts in the British Museum date and record it as treasure on their database, please message to be sent a photo of the ring in question (Unique ID: BM-9A503C, Treasure case number: 2004T444) UK size I 1/4, 1.46g, tests as high carat gold, approx. 18-20K. The sapphire measures 5mm x 4mm

Ring Size:
5 US, Not Resizable
Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Sapphire
Stone Cut:
Cabochon
Weight:
1.46 g
Style:
Medieval
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
1300
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2845217784392

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