Antique hardstone intaglio ringīy the Middle Ages, signet rings had begun to display heraldic symbols, showing shields, as well as symbols such as the lion rampant or passant, boars, or flowers. In the 12 th, 16 th, 18 th and 19 th centuries, there were revivals of intaglio engraving for short periods. By the 4 th century, it appears that the art of engraving intaglios on gemstones was lost and so the signet ring became solely a metal ring again, unless a Roman intaglio gemstone was re-used in a new setting. The devices on the rings should be the Christian symbols of the fish, anchor, ship and fisherman.
In the 3 rd century AD, St Clement stated that the only ring a Christian could wear was a signet ring and, in the case of males, it could only be worn on the little finger. Other intaglio rings contained engravings of gods or goddesses, symbols representing a family’s history or, for soldiers, the goddess of Victory, Nike, representing a military victory. Alexander the Great’s signet ring was an emerald engraved with his own portrait and Emperor Augustus also had a signet ring containing his likeness. The signet rings of Greeks and Romans contained intaglio gems and hardstones. Antique bloodstone intaglio ring (at Camberwell Antique Centre)
Usually they are designed as signet rings, originally used to seal a document but later in history they were used to display coats of arms or just initials. Intaglio rings are created when artist carves down into the stone to hollow out an image. The first is because they usually involve gemstones which have been carved and the second is because they can represent a personal history of a family. I am always looking for intaglio rings, antique ones if possible.
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