Due for release later this month, Thames & Hudson's latest edition of Diana Scarisbrick's book examines rings through the ages, exploring their history and symbolism.
Originally released in 2007, this extended and improved version of 'Rings: Jewelery of Power, Love and Royalty' presents over 480 individual finger jewels from different periods and occasions, compiled in a beautiful reference book. Specimens from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance right up to the 20th century are included, illustrated with beautiful photography, paintings and drawings.
Taken from museums and private collections, including that of noted gem dealer and art patron Benjamin Zucker, the coffee table book features a number of spectaular jewels at which to marvel. One gold gimmel ring inscribed in Latin, from the Zucker Family Collection, has a double hoop that can be split apart to reveal beautiful internal detail. A Cartier ring made in Paris is 1947 for the Duchess of Windsor catches the eye with a coral dome encircled by a crown of golden leaves, each enclosing a square-cut emerald and diamond. Another regal Cartier ring from the 1950s features two panthers with black enamel spots and emerald eyes, both clutching a cabochon sapphire engraved with the coat of arms of the Black family - a gift from Peter Black to his wife Monica on their wedding.
The perfect gift for jewellery lovers, this new edition of 'Rings: Jewelery of Power, Love and Royalty' by Diana Scarisbrick is available from 30 September. An art historian, Scarisbrick is a leading expert on engraved gems and jewellery and has written about them extensively in books, journals and exhibition catalogues.
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Two early 19th-century English rings set with coloured stones, whose initial letters convey messages. In the upper one, the word "dearest" is spelt out by diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire and turquoise. In the lower one, ruby emerald garnet, amethyst, ruby again, and diamond spell out "regard" – the most popular word in aristocracy. Mrs Nicolas Norton.