Medieval Silver Gilt Ring Brooch Clasped Hands

Code: 10319

This is a charming medieval silver-gilt ring-brooch, dating to the 14th century AD. This example is formed with a pair of clasped hands in prayer, clasping a white glass pearl. This is an unusual feature as the gems are often missing (see LON-8B523A for discussion).

Ring-brooches are the most common type medieval brooch to survive and had a practical function: to fasten tunics, especially at the neck. Shaped as rings, with a long central pin, these brooches varied enormously in size and could be tiny, smaller than a fingernail. Ring-brooches were made of costly gold or silver, or of much cheaper copper or pewter. They were worn mostly until the late fourteenth century when changing fashions in dress included more closely tailored clothes and the growing use of button fastenings.

This example is intact and very delicate, originally suitable for securing silks or light feminine fabrics. The brooch is made from solid silver (tested) coated with a thick yellow mercurial gold gilding. The silver has toned to a dark brown in places.

OBJECT: Ring-brooch

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 1300 - 1400 AD

MATERIAL: Silver/gold gilded

SIZE: 24mm x 17mm x 2mm

WEIGHT: 1.7 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. Tom Cederlind Collection, USA. Originally found in Gloucestershire. U.K.