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Ring with Celestial Motif
In the late 18th century and into the 19th century, rings set with diamonds on dark blue or red enamel backgrounds became fashionable in Europe. The oval (marquise bezel) and the rectangular (shuttle-shaped bezel), like this ring, were the most popular shapes with diamonds set to imitate stars in the sky or floral sprays. It was charactersitic to frame these rings with a border of diamond sparks set in silver mounts. The blue enameled rings evoke celestial allusions; rings of this kind were called "bagues au firmament" (Rings of the Heavens).
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Unknown collection, no. 38; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1922 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Laura F. Delano, New York, [date of acquisition unknown] by gift; Walters Art Museum, June 9, 1947, by gift.
Exhibitions
| 2010 | Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry. El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso. |
| 2006-2009 | Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota; The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 1979-1980 | Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 2/8/1962 | Treatment | cleaned |
Geographies
France (Place of Origin)
Measurements
bezel:1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm);
hoop: 11/16 in. (1.75 cm) (diam.)
Credit Line
Gift of Laura F. Delano, 1947
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
57.1792