Ashmolean Museum:

Finger Ring Collection

Browse Collection

432 of 436

First Ring

Previous Ring

Return to
Introduction

Return to
Gallery

Return to
All Online Collections

Next Ring

Last Ring

Click to hide image

Signet ring

Italy

15th/16th century

Silver signet ring, the oval bezel with a shield of arms, a fess between a fish and a branch, pearled borderline, the shoulders engraved with leafage and moulding

19.15 mm internal ring diameter; 8.42 g weight

Bought in Rome, 1880

Presented by Dr C.D.E. Fortnum in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897; WA1897.CDEF.F761

Taylor & Scarisbrick, Finger Rings from Ancient Egypt to the present day, 1978, no. 304

Signet ring: The signet ring has been used to seal business and legal documents since Egyptian times. A variety of devices were employed to distinguish the owner of each seal. From the early 14^th century, heraldic shields were in use in Italy, England and France for those entitled to them. In the 15^th century a badge and motto was preferred. Merchants or craftsmen who did not bear a coat of arms would use a merchant