Iconographic finger ring with Saint John and the Virgin

An iconographic gold finger ring with Saint John the Baptist and the Virgin and child.

English, 15th century.

Ring size K UK / 5.25 US.

The bezel has two rectangular panels, one is engraved with the Virgin and child and the other with Saint John the Baptist holding a lamb. Each shoulder is engraved with a stylised wound of Christ in white enamel with droplets of blood falling below. The ring is in fine condition with exceptional engraving and traces of original enamel.

Rings engraved with religious figures or scenes are often known as ‘iconographic rings’.
They were decorated with the popular saints of the middle ages: Catherine, Barbara, Christopher, George and Margaret as well as figures of the Virgin Mary, Christ or the Three Kings. These rings were worn as a sign of faith but were also believed to offer protection from both spiritual and earthly dangers.

Similar iconographic rings can be found in the collections of the British Museum, London (1891,1124.1), the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (M.211-1975), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (L.2015.72.44 and L.2015.72.12) and the Ashmoleon Museum, Oxford (WA1897.CDEF.F584).

There is a ring in the collection of the British Museum, London (Registration number; AF.897), which is also engraved with the bleeding wounds of Christ.