Finger Rings: From Ancient to Modern (Ashmolean Handbooks) - Softcover

Henig, Martin; Scarisbrick, Diana; Fenton, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1854441663 ISBN 13: 9781854441669

Publisher: Ashmolean Museum, 2010

Synopsis

The Ashmolean Museum is the oldest museum in Britain, housing Oxford University's unrivalled collection of art and antiquities from Europe, Central Asia and the Far East. Nothing in the museum is as rich in human interest as the collection of rings illustrated in this book, for each not only enhanced the beauty of the hand, but also had a deeper personal significance. There are early signets from the Minoan civilisation discovered by Arthur Evans, which introduce the category of seal ring indispensable for business not only in the ancient world, but well into modern times. Then key events - marriage and death - in the lives of the original owners are evoked by rings with symbols and loving messages. Biblical inscriptions, prayers, and images of Christ, the Virgin and the saints, illustrate the strength of religious faith in the age of the cathedrals. High ecclesiastical authority of that period is expressed by the famous ring found at Thame, designed for a relic of the True Cross. The extraordinary group of toadstone rings, used to assay poison, show how belief in the supernatural powers of stones persisted well into the seventeenth century. Of outstanding quality, these rings tell, in miniature, the fascinating story of jewellery from Pharaonic Egypt to Victorian Britain.

About this title

Synopsis

The book divides into two sections Part One, 'Rings in the Ancient Mediterranean World' which illustrates the earliest rings from the Hittite empire, Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Crete and Cyprus, dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 3rd and 4th century AD. Part Two, 'The Middle Ages to Modern Times' includes medieval, Renaissance and 17th century signet rings; magical rings, love and marriage, memorial and 'Giardinetti' or decorative rings from the 18th century.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ashmolean Museum
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1854441663
• ISBN 13: 9781854441669
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80