finger-rings-lnks - 12/18/04
A set of web links to information on medieval finger rings by Dame Aoife Finn of Ynos Mon.
NOTE: See also the files: finger-rings-msg, jewelry-msg, ear-rings-msg, combs-info-art, amber-msg, pearls-msg, gem-sources-msg.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors.
Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: aoife at scatoday.net
Subject: [Aoife-Links] Lord of the Bling: What's on YOUR Finger?
Date: December 17, 2004 8:24:17 PM CST
To: aoife-links at scatoday.net
Greetings, my faithful readers!
Recently I and a few other ladies at a small Schola were given the ultimate
treat: We were allowed to pick up, try on, admire and goggle at some real
medieval jewelry artifacts. The owners of these artifacts were a pair of
rather infamous SCAdian brothers and merchants who rarely teach but were
happy to show their genuine medieval models and their modern medieval
replicas for a small class on historical jewelry. I was in heaven! At one
point I had six genuine historical rings on one hand, and I rapidly came to
several conclusions:
1) Medieval fingers were much smaller than mine. I was lucky to get these
adult rings onto my first finger joints, and though I am a tall woman, I
have medium-sized hands.
2) Much of what jewelry is sold as medieval out in the real world is
actually more fantasy or the dreaded "medieval inspired".
3) I love medieval rings.
Therefore, this Links List is dedicated to the Medieval finger-ring and
related items. As always, feel free to pass this Links List along to those
who will find it interesting!
Cheers
Aoife
Dame Aoife Finn of Ynos Mon, CL,CP
Riverouge
Endless Hills
Aethelmearc
Medieval Bronze Rings (Note slow loading due to looping music tract)
http://www.thehonourablecompany.com/medieval/med.htm">http://www.thehonourablecompany.com/medieval/med.htm
A merchant's site, with six images of extant medieval rings
Glitz Queen: Medieval Room
http://worldzone.net/art/glitzqueen/medieval.html">http://worldzone.net/art/glitzqueen/medieval.html
(Site Excerpt) Medieval Gold & Cabochon Ruby Ring. It must've been brand-new
when someone dropped it, for this ring was recovered from English earth in
perfect condition centuries later. At least five centuries later, since it
was made before goldmarking began.
Cronaca: Sixth Grader Fins Viking Ring
http://www.cronaca.com/archives/001048.html">http://www.cronaca.com/archives/001048.html
Viking Ring, Gold/Silver
http://www.northerner.com/products/behvs1-19.html">http://www.northerner.com/products/behvs1-19.html
(Site Excerpt) Reduplicate of jewelry from the Viking Age found at
excavations in Nar (Gotland Island, Southeast Sweden). The item weighs about
6.4 g (0.225 oz.).
Mirabilis.ca : Mystery of Biggest Viking Gold Ring
http://www.mirabilis.ca/archives/002082.html">http://www.mirabilis.ca/archives/002082.html
(Site Excerpt) The biggest Viking gold ring ever found in the British Isles
has been discovered among the belongings of a York man following his death.
Mystery surrounds the origins of the 324.6 gram arm ring, which has excited
experts, one of whom called the find "fantastic".
Saxon Rings for Sale:
http://www.time-line.co.uk/erol.html#4033x0&&http%3A%252F%252Fwww.dogpile.com%252Finfo.dogpl%252Fsearch%252Fweb%252FSaxon%252BRing">http://www.time-line.co.uk/erol.html#4033x0&&http%3A%252F%252Fwww.dogpile.com%252Finfo.dogpl%252Fsearch%252Fweb%252FSaxon%252BRing
Builder Finds Anglo-Saxon Gold Ring During Tea Break
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_txo_en/ART15047.html">http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_txo_en/ART15047.html
An Oxfordshire builder went to a friend's house to help dig a patio and came
away having uncovered a 1,400-year-old gold ring. Decorated with a cross and
four glass beads, the Anglo-Saxon ring has now been declared as Treasure by
an Oxfordshire coroner and is awaiting valuation by the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport.
An Anglo-Saxon Runic Ring
http://ariadne.uio.no/runenews/nor_1997/engl96p1.htm">http://ariadne.uio.no/runenews/nor_1997/engl96p1.htm
(Site Excerpt) A finger-ring with an inscription in English runes was
uncovered, according to the only available report, in August/September 1993,
during the digging of a foundation trench for a house at Wheatley Hill, some
14 kilometres east of Durham. The ring had apparently been cleaned, and
this, together with certain curiosities in its design and legend, encouraged
the British Museum authorities to have it carefully examined by their
Department of Scientific Research. The conclusion was that the ring and text
were genuine, and the piece is now the property of the British Museum,
accession no. 1995,9-2,1.
Anglo-Saxon Braided Gold Ring
http://www.lesenluminures.com/enluminures/rings/ntext/mtwisted.htm">http://www.lesenluminures.com/enluminures/rings/ntext/mtwisted.htm
(Site Excerpt) Of utmost simplicity and surprising modernity, this Saxon
ring consists of two twisted wires plaited together and hammered at the
back. The gold content is extremely high, and the ring is very soft.
Medieval Jewelry
http://www.ceu.hu/medstud/manual/SRM/jewel1.htm">http://www.ceu.hu/medstud/manual/SRM/jewel1.htm
(Site Excerpt) A large proportion of gold used in late medieval production
was recycled gold: goldsmiths used ancient coins, jewelry, or other gold
objects as their raw material. In the High Middle Ages, the previously
produced gold stock of Europe was primarily accumulated in the court of the
Byzantine emperors; consequently, little gold was circulated in the Western
world.
Stefan's Florilegium: Medieval Jewelry
http://www.florilegium.org/files/ACCESS/jewelry-msg.html">http://www.florilegium.org/files/ACCESS/jewelry-msg.html
(Site Excerpt from ONE message in the file) ...First I would point out that
there were times
in some cultures where no one but the royal family could wear gold or silver
jewelry (France for a while or two comes to mind, see "7000 Years of
Jewelry").
http://www.florilegium.org/">http://www.florilegium.org/files/ACCESS/finger-rings-msg.html
(click accessories on the right and then finger-rings on the left. Site Excerpt from one message) ...Being a professional jeweler, I get asked this question frequently. I usually give people a short extract on love and marriage rings from an excellent book called "An Introduction to Rings" by Shirley Bury, who is the Keeper, Department of Metalwork for the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Personal Ornaments of Ancient Ireland
http://www.alia.ie/tirnanog/sochis/xviiic.html">http://www.alia.ie/tirnanog/sochis/xviiic.html
(Site Excerpt) Among the high classes the custom of wearing rings and
bracelets of gold, silver, and findruine (white bronze) on the fore-arm,
wrist, and fingers - including the thumb - was universal, and is mentioned
everywhere in ancient Irish literature.
Ashmole Museum: The Thame Hoard
http://www.ashmol.ox.ac.uk/ash/objectofmonth/2001-10/theobject.htm">http://www.ashmol.ox.ac.uk/ash/objectofmonth/2001-10/theobject.htm
(Site Excerpt) The five rings contained within the Thame Hoard are all made
of gold. Three of them include stones believed to have magical properties.
Ring b is set with a peridot, ring c with a toadstone and ring d with
turquoise.
Jewelry from the Thetford Treasure--Late 17th Century England
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=kd1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%2ffull%2f%26_IXsearchterm%3dthetford%2520treasure%26%7bUPPER%7d%3av2_free_text_tindex%3dthetford%2btreasure%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%2fno_matches%2ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch%26%24%2b%28with%2bv2_searchable_index%29%2bsort%3d%2e&_IXFIRST_=5&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/lg&_IXimg=ps12604">http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=kd1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%252ffull%252f%26_IXsearchterm%3dthet
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=kd1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%2ffull%2f%26_IXsearchterm%3dthetford%2520treasure%26%7bUPPER%7d%3av2_free_text_tindex%3dthetford%2btreasure%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%2fno_matches%2ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch%26%24%2b%28with%2bv2_searchable_index%29%2bsort%3d%2e&_IXFIRST_=5&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/lg&_IXimg=ps12604">ford%252520treasure%26%257bUPPER%257d%253av2_free_text_tindex%3dthetford%2bt
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=kd1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%2ffull%2f%26_IXsearchterm%3dthetford%2520treasure%26%7bUPPER%7d%3av2_free_text_tindex%3dthetford%2btreasure%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%2fno_matches%2ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch%26%24%2b%28with%2bv2_searchable_index%29%2bsort%3d%2e&_IXFIRST_=5&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/lg&_IXimg=ps12604">reasure%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%252fno_matches%252eht
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=kd1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%2ffull%2f%26_IXsearchterm%3dthetford%2520treasure%26%7bUPPER%7d%3av2_free_text_tindex%3dthetford%2btreasure%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%2fno_matches%2ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch%26%24%2b%28with%2bv2_searchable_index%29%2bsort%3d%2e&_IXFIRST_=5&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/lg&_IXimg=ps12604">ml%26_IXspage%3dsearch%26%2524%2b%2528with%2bv2_searchable_index%2529%2bsort
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=kd1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%2ffull%2f%26_IXsearchterm%3dthetford%2520treasure%26%7bUPPER%7d%3av2_free_text_tindex%3dthetford%2btreasure%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%2fno_matches%2ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch%26%24%2b%28with%2bv2_searchable_index%29%2bsort%3d%2e&_IXFIRST_=5&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/lg&_IXimg=ps12604">%3d%252e&_IXFIRST_=5&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/lg&_IXimg=ps12604
8.jpg&submit-button=summary (Apologies for the excessively long URL--please
copy-paste to be sure you get it all))
6,000 Years of Helenic Jewelry
http://www.culture.gr/2/22/225/22501/225013/e01300.html">http://www.culture.gr/2/22/225/22501/225013/e01300.html
Click on a menuitem to view a photo and description
Victoria and Albert Museum: William Wytlesey's ring
http://images.vam.ac.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXSS_=%2asform=search_form%26_IXMAXHITS_=15%26_IXDB_=default%26%24%3dIXALL=medieval+ring%26_IXSESSION_=&_IXSR_=ro1&_IXSPFX_=full/t&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXFIRST_=3&submit-button=summary&_IXSESSION_=">http://images.vam.ac.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXSS_=%2asform=search_form%26_IXMAXHITS_=15%26_IXDB_=default%26%24%3dIXALL=medieval+ring%26_IXSESSION_=&_IXSR_=ro1&_IXSPFX_=full/t&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXFIRST_=3&submit-button=summary&_IXSESSION_=
(Site Excerpt) This ring belonged to William Wytlesey, Archbishop of
Canterbury between 1362 and 1374. It is said to have been found in his tomb.
Jewelry as a messanger of culture between people
http://www.goldsmith.it/us/culturale/storia/index.html">http://www.goldsmith.it/us/culturale/storia/index.html
A selective history of goldsmithing
ww.historiska.se (Stockholm) : The Burge Hoard
http://www.historiska.se/collections/treasures/medel/Burge-e.html">http://www.historiska.se/collections/treasures/medel/Burge-e.html
Historical Museum of Gotland: Hoards from the Medieval Period and later (See
also late and early viking eras)
http://www.gotmus.i.se/fornsalen/skatter/engelska/hoards_from_the_medieval_period_and_later.htm">http://www.gotmus.i.se/fornsalen/skatter/engelska/hoards_from_the_medieval_period_and_later.htm
(Site Excerpt) The Dune hoard is the largest and most opulent medieval hoard
ever unearthed in northern Europe. The number of objects is no less than
122, some of which display an exceptionally high quality of craftsmanship.
The hoard contains characteristic objects from more or less every decade
from appr. 1100 to 1382. The latter date is marked by a small brooch made
out of a coin minted for the Teutonic Order's Grand Master Winrich von
Kniprode, 1351-1382.
If you wish to correspond with Aoife directly, please send mail to: mtnlion
at ptd dot net as she is unable to respond in this account
<the end>