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Although there was originally no requirement for a ring to be used in Jewish weddings, in the medieval period rings became a customary part of the marriage ceremony, probably under the influence of surrounding cultures. There is a tradition that the Jewish wedding ring be a simple band, preferably in gold, without decorations and gemstones. More elaborate rings like this one, with a small architectural form at the top symbolizing the Temple of Jerusalem, are believed by some to have been kept by the synagogue and shared by community members, to be worn only on the day of the marriage ceremony. The jeweler who made this elaborate gold and enamel ring was likely influenced by two things, the 1826 discovery of Weissenfels Treasure in Germany and the 1863 discovery of the Colmar Treasure in France, each of which included similarly shaped rings from about 1300, and the period’s fashionable Renaissance Revival styles that often incorporated polychrome enamel. The scale of the architectural ring allowed witnesses of the ceremony to see the ring, thereby validating the marriage.
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Jewish Marriage Ring
Central European
19th century, in the 16th–century style
Medium/Technique
Gold, enamel
Dimensions
1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Anonymous Centennial gift
Accession Number69.1096
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Rings
Although there was originally no requirement for a ring to be used in Jewish weddings, in the medieval period rings became a customary part of the marriage ceremony, probably under the influence of surrounding cultures. There is a tradition that the Jewish wedding ring be a simple band, preferably in gold, without decorations and gemstones. More elaborate rings like this one, with a small architectural form at the top symbolizing the Temple of Jerusalem, are believed by some to have been kept by the synagogue and shared by community members, to be worn only on the day of the marriage ceremony. The jeweler who made this elaborate gold and enamel ring was likely influenced by two things, the 1826 discovery of Weissenfels Treasure in Germany and the 1863 discovery of the Colmar Treasure in France, each of which included similarly shaped rings from about 1300, and the period’s fashionable Renaissance Revival styles that often incorporated polychrome enamel. The scale of the architectural ring allowed witnesses of the ceremony to see the ring, thereby validating the marriage.
DescriptionGold, elaborately chased and enameled. High projecting bezel in form of house with gabled roof with keyhole cutout (possibly a symbol of the shared life of the married couple). The sides of the structure are enameled with applied red enamel blossoms. The ring has enameled figural shoulders modeled with icon-masks. The underside of the ring is also enameled. The roof on the house opens and there is an enameled design on the floor.
Marks
French discharge mark ET stamped on outside of shank (1864-1893)
Provenance1969, anonymous gift to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 23, 1969)