Master of Saint Augustine (Netherlandish, ca. 1490). Scenes from the Life of Saint Augustine of Hippo (detail), ca. 1490. Oil, gold, and silver on wood. Made in Bruges, Flanders, South Netherlands. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Cloisters Collection, 1961 (61.199) © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Worn by women and men, finger rings are among the oldest and most familiar forms of jewelry. In addition to their use as personal adornments, rings can serve as declarations of status, markers of significant life events, expressions of identity, and protective talismans. Some three dozen ancient, medieval, and later examples are shown in the exhibition Treasures and Talismans: Rings from the Griffin Collection, that opened May 1 at The Cloisters—a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. The collection is named after the mythical creature that was part lion and part eagle. In medieval lore, the griffin was often a guardian of treasure and was known for seeking out gold in rocks—hence its fitting use for this private collection of precious gold rings. 

The exhibition is made possible by the Estate of Eldridge Greenlee. 

Octahedral Diamond Ring, second half 3rd–early 4th century, Roman. Gold, diamond. Height including diamond 30.73 mm.; hoop outer diam. 25 mm.; bezel 6.32 x 8.55 mm.; weight 9.2 grams; US size 5.75; UK size L. Griffin Collection. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The rings are displayed alongside two dozen related works in a range of media, including paintings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and goldsmith work spanning the late second-third century A.D. to the 16th century from the Metropolitan’s departments of Greek and Roman Art, European Paintings, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, Medieval Art and The Cloisters, and the Robert Lehman Collection. The Petrus Christus painting A Goldsmith in his Shop (1449), for example, shows a goldsmith weighing a wedding ring, while raw materials for making rings and other forms of jewelry and finished products line the shelves of the shop.  

Gemstone ring, 12th–13th century, Byzantine. Made in Constantinople. Gold, aquamarine, pearl. Height 39.5 mm.; hoop inner diam. 19.5 mm.; hoop outer diam. 26 mm.; bezel 23.5 x 19 mm.; weight 39.5 gr. Griffin Collection. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Exploring the making of rings from raw material to finished product and from goldsmith to owner, the exhibition highlights rings as both physical objects and works of art. The significance of rings in the lives of medieval and Renaissance people is a featured topic. Also discussed is the connection of rings to religion, superstition, love, marriage, and identity.

The exhibition features short videos on the techniques used in making rings: cutting stones, settings, and ring design. 

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, late 14th century (setting); 10th century? (sapphire), Italian. Gold, sapphire. Height 30.8 mm; hoop outer diam. 27.89 mm; bezel 16.15 x 17.4 mm; weight 23.5 grams; US size 7.25; UK size O. Griffin Collection. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The installation is organized by C. Griffith Mann, the Michel David-Weill Curator in Charge of the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters. Exhibition design is by Michael Langley, Exhibition Design Manager; graphics are by Mortimer Lebigre, Graphic Designer; and lighting is by Clint Ross Coller and Richard Lichte, Lighting Design Managers, assisted by Amy Nelson, Assistant Lighting Designer, all of the Museum’s Design Department.

Education programs include gallery talks and demonstrations by jewelry designers.

Cusped Ring, 15th century, North European. Gold, hessonite garnet. Height 26.4 mm.; hoop inner diam. 20 mm.; hoop outer diam. 26 mm.; bezel 19 x 13 mm.; weight 12.34 g © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Petrus Christus (Netherlandish, Baarle-Hertog (Baerle-Duc), active by 1444–died 1475/76 Bruges), A Goldsmith in his Shop, 1449. Oil on oak panel. Overall 39 3/8 x 33 3/4 in. (100.1 x 85.8 cm); painted surface 38 5/8 x 33 1/2 in. (98 x 85.2 cm). Robert Lehman Collection, 1975. 1975.1.110. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Covered Beaker, ca. 1470, German. Silver, gilt. Overall (ab): 11 1/2 x diam. 5 1/8 in. (29.2 x diam. 13 cm) vessel (a) only: 7 1/16 x diam. 4 9/16 in. (17.9 x diam. 11.6 cm) Top (b): 4 1/8 x diam. 5 1/8 in. (10.5 x diam. 13 cm). Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. 17.190.615a, b © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Covered Beaker, ca. 1325–50 (vessel); ca. 1340–60 (mounts). Made in Venice, Italy (vessel); Vienna, Austria (mounts). Silver gilt, rock crystal, and translucent enamels Overall: 8 1/4 x 3 3/8 in. (21 x 8.6 cm). The Cloisters Collection, 1989. 1989.293. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Wood Box with Bronze Balance Scale,  500–600, Coptic. Made in Byzantine Egypt. Wooden box and copper alloy scale. Overall: 1 5/16 x 9 1/8 x 3 9/16 in. (3.3 x 23.2 x 9.1 cm) Scale set up on mount c-e: 6 7/8 x 8 7/16 x 2 in. (17.4 x 21.4 x 5.1 cm). Rogers Fund, 1914. 14.2.2a-e © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Cruet, 1518, German. Made in probably Lübeck, Germany. Silver, silver-gilt. Overall: 6 9/16 x 3 1/16 x 2 11/16 in. (16.7 x 7.8 x 6.8 cm). The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931. 32.100.219 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Ring Brooch, last quarter 13th century, British or French. Silver, glass paste. Overall Diameter: 1 in. (2.5 cm) The Cloisters Collection, 1957. 57.26.3 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Ring Brooch, 1250–1300, British or French. Gold, sapphire, garnet. Overall: 15/16 × 3/16 in. (2.4 × 0.4 cm). Gift of Tobias Meyer and Mark Fletcher, 2013. 2013.453 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ring Brooch, first half 14th century, Western European. Silver, turquoise, glass paste. Overall Diameter: 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm). The Cloisters Collection, 1957. 57.26.2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Double Gemstone Ring, ca. 300, Byzantine. Gold, pearl, emerald: Height of bezel 25 mm.; diameter inner hoop 20 mm.; weight 8.3 gr. Griffin Collection © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Two-Finger Ring, early 6th century, Byzantine. Gold, amethyst, emerald, glass, pearl. Height 27 mm.; length 45.7 mm.; weight 11.79 g.; US 10 and 10.25, UK. Griffin Collection© The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Late Roman Ring, late 4th–5th century, Roman. Made in probably Britain. Gold, set with yellow, green, and red glass, two sapphires, and a garnet.  Bezel 28 x 23 x 4 mm.; circumference 58 mm.; weight 10.1gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Late Antique Gemstone Ring, 4th century, Roman. Gold and garnets. Hoop outer diam. 27.8 mm; hoop inner diam. 17.8 mm.; weight 5.04 gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Hunting Ring, ca. 1500–1600?, Spanish. Gold. Width, 9 mm.; circumference 53 mm.; weight 7.2 g.; US size 6 1/2; UK size M ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Panel with Hunting Scenes, ca. 1350, French. Made in Paris, France. Ivory. Overall: 4 5/16 x 12 1/8 x 3/16 in. (11 x 30.8 x 0.5 cm) W: 29.0-30.8 cm; Depth: .2-.5 cm. The Cloisters Collection, 2003. 2003.131.2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Reliquary Pendant with Hounds Coursing a Hare, late 14th century, German. Made in Lower Rhineland, Germany. Silver, partly gilt, niello. Overall: 2 1/4 x 1 x 1/4 in. (5.7 x 2.5 x 0.7 cm). Gift of Rainer M. Zietz, 1985. 1985.137 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Gold Ring with Filigree Decoration, 6th–7th century, Visigothic (?). Gold. Height 34.4 mm; exterior diameter 20.26 mm.; weight 10.1 g.; US size 8; UK size P ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Merovingian Architectural Ring, mid-6th century, French. Made in Gaul. Gold and garnet. Bezel 11 x 11 mm.; Height 29.6 mm.; hoop inner diam. 19 mm.; hoop outer diam. 22 mm.; Weight 8.12 gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Gold Ring with Pyramidal Bezel Inlaid with Garnet, 6th–7th century, Merovingian. Gold and garnet. Height 25.5 mm; exterior diameter of hoop 22.84 mm.; weight 9.7 g.; US size; 8 ½, UK size Q ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

 Ostrogothic Gemstone Ring, ca. 500, Italian.  Made in Ravenna (?). Gold and garnet. Height 35.5 mm.; hoop outer diam. 23 mm.; hoop inner diam. 19.5 mm.; bezel 12 x 11.5 mm.; weight 18.25 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

German Gemstone Ring, 11th century, German. Gold and garnet. Circumference 54.4 mm.; weight 5.3 g.; US size 7; UK size N 1/2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Merovingian Cloisonné Architectural Ring, ca. 500, French. Gold and garnet. Height 31.03 mm; exterior diam. of hoop 22.3 mm; bezel 20.5 {x} 21.3 mm Weight 10.7 grams U.S. size 8.5; U.K. size Q 1/2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Bow Brooch, 400–450, Eastern Germanic. Silver with gold-sheet overlay and garnets. Overall: 6 9/16 x 2 7/16 x 1 3/8 in. (16.7 x 6.2 x 3.5 cm). Fletcher Fund, 1947. 47.100.19  © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Brooch, ca. 970–1030, Ottonian. Made in probably northern Italy. Gold, pearls, glass, cloisonné enamel. Overall: 1 1/2 x 1/2 in. (3.8 x 1.2 cm). Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. 17.191.7 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Master of Saint Augustine (Netherlandish, ca. 1490). Scenes from the Life of Saint Augustine of Hippo, ca. 1490. Oil, gold, and silver on wood. Made in Bruges, Flanders, South Netherlands. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Cloisters Collection, 1961 (61.199) © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Nine Diamond Rings from a Convent, late 17th–18th century, Spanish. Gold and diamonds © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

 Gothic Bishop's Ring, 13th century, French. Gold and sapphire. Height 26 mm.; hoop inner diam. 20.6 mm.; hoop outer diam. 24.6 mm.; bezel 14.4 x 15 mm.; Weight 8.94 grams © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Medieval Episcopal Ring “Joye Sans Fyn”, 15th century, British. Gold. Bezel 9 x 9 x 2 mm.; circumference 63/64 mm.; weight 13.3 g.; US size 10 ½; UK size U ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Devotional Ring, 13th century, British (?). Gold and sapphire. Height 26.6 mm.; hoop inner diam. 20 mm.; hoop outer diam. 23.5 mm; bezel 10 x 13.4 mm.; weight 8.71 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Langobard Bishop's Ring, 7th–8th century, Italian. Made in Lombardy. Gold and sliced garnet. Weight: 13.5 g.; circumference: 62.7 mm.; size US 10.25, UK U © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Skull Memento Mori Locket Ring, 17th century, British. Gold, enamel, diamonds, and ruby. Weight: 11.3 g.; circumference: 59.5 mm.; size: US 9, UK R ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Memento Mori Signet, ca. 1600, British. Gold. Weight: 12.2 g.; circumference: 51.3 mm.; size: US 6.5, UK M ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Gimmel Ring with Memento Mori, dated 1631, German. Height 29.61 mm; exterior diam. 23.7 mm; bezel 14.25 x 12.18 mm.; Weight 13.75 grams US size 7.5 UK 0 ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Rosary, ca. 1500–1525, German. Ivory, silver, and partially gilded mounts. Overall: 24 11/16 x 2 1/8 x 1 3/4 in. (62.7 x 5.4 x 4.5 cm) Top Terminal: 1 5/8 x 1 5/16 x 1 1/2 in. (4.2 x 3.4 x 3.8 cm) 2nd bead: 2 1/16 x 1 11/16 x 1 in. (5.2 x 4.3 x 2.6 cm) 3rd bead: 2 3/16 x 1 7/8 x 11/16 in. (5.6 x 4.7 x 1.7 cm) 4th bead: 2 5/16 x 1 15/16 x 1 in. (5.8 x 4.9 x 2.6 cm) 5th bead: 2 9/16 x 2 x 1 1/16 in. (6.5 x 5.1 x 2.7 cm) 6th bead: 2 1/2 x 1 13/16 x 7/8 in. (6.3 x 4.6 x 2.2 cm) 7th bead: 2 3/4 x 2 1/8 x 1 in. (7 x 5.4 x 2.5 cm) Bottom Terminal: 2 1/16 x 1 7/16 x 1 15/16 in. (5.2 x 3.6 x 5 cm). Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. 17.190.306 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Rosary bead, ca. 1525–50, Flemish. Boxwood, silver gilt. H. 2 5/8 x W. 1 3/4 in. (6.7 x 4.4 cm). Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917.17.190.328 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Byzantine Niello Ring of Virgin and Child, 10th century, Byzantine. Made in probably Constantinople. Gold and niello. Bezel 3 x 12 x 10 mm.; circumference 50 mm.; weight 5.6 gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

 Pendant Brooch with Cameo of Enthroned Virgin and Child and Christ Pantokrator, late 11th–12th century (cameo); 12th–14th century (mount), Byzantine. Chalcedony cameo; gold mount with pearls, emeralds, garnets, sapphires, and a sardonyx intaglio. Overall: 2 13/16 x 2 3/16 x 5/8 in. (7.2 x 5.5 x 1.6 cm) Chalcedony: 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (3.8 x 3.2 cm).Purchase, Acquisitions Fund, Christopher C. Grisanti and Suzanne P. Fawbush, Austin B. Chinn, and Katharine R. Brown Gifts, Gifts of Marx Freres, J. Pierpont Morgan, and Mrs. Frank D. Millett, by exchange, and funds from various donors, 2007. 2007.9 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Medieval Iconographic Ring with St. Catherine, the Virgin, and Child, 15th century, British. Gold. Bezel 12 x 7 mm.; circumference 59 mm.; weight 9.8 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Medieval Iconographic Ring with St. Anne Teaching the Virgin to Read and Inscription, late 15th century, British. Gold. Bezel 12 x 8 mm.; circumference 58 mm.; weight 8.7 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Iconographic Ring with Two Standing Saints, 15th century, British. Gold with engraved bezel. Weight 12.3g; circumference 61.2mm; size: US 10, UK T 1/2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Lorenzo di Credi (Lorenzo d'Andrea d'Oderigo) (Italian, Florence 1456/59–1536 Florence), Portrait of a Young Woman, ca. 1490–1500. Oil on wood, 23 1/8 x 15 3/4 in. (58.7 x 40 cm). Bequest of Richard De Wolfe Brixey, 1943. 43.86.5  © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Attributed to Hans Brosamer (German, active by 1536, probably died 1552), Katharina Merian. Oil and gold on wood. Overall 18 1/4 x 13 1/8 in. (46.4 x 33.3 cm); painted surface 17 5/8 x 13 1/8 in. (44.8 x 33.3 cm). The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982. 1982.60.38 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Triumph of Love Cameo Ring, 16th century (cameo); 19th century (setting), Italian. Gold and sardonyx. Weight: 10.2 g.; circumference: 46.7 mm.; size: US 4, UK H © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Gothic Love Ring “Corte Porta Amor”, 14th century, Italian. Gold and ruby. Bezel 21.6 x 17.5 mm.; Height 23 mm.; hoop inner diam. 12.3 mm.; hoop outer diam.18.7 mm.; weight 7.43 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fede Ring, 16th century, British (?). Gold. Circumference 55.3 mm.; weight 4.4 gr.; US size 7 ¾; UK size P ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Leaf of a Writing Tablet, 14th century, French. Made in Paris, French. Ivory. Overall: 4 9/16 x 3 1/16 x 3/16 in. (11.7 x 7.8 x 0.6 cm). Gift of Ann Payne Blumenthal, 1938. 38.108 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Casket with Romance Scenes, 14th century, French. Ivory with modern iron mounts. Overall: 2 3/4 x 6 1/8 x 3 9/16 in. (7 x 15.6 x 9 cm) gr. thickness (of panels): 3/16 in. (0.6 cm). Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. 17.190.163 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Coffret (Minnekästchen), ca. 1325–50, German. Made in Upper Rhineland, Germany. Oak, inlay, and tempera; wrought-iron mounts. Overall: 4 3/4 x 10 3/4 x 6 1/2in. (12.1 x 27.3 x 16.5cm). Rogers Fund and The Cloisters Collection, by exchange, 1950. 50.141. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Gold Marriage Ring, 6th–7th century, Byzantine. GoldExterior diameter 21.6 mm.; bezel 9.7 x 9.1 mm.; weight 10 g.; US size 7 ¼; UK size O © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Byzantine Marriage Ring, 3rd–4th century, Byzantine. Made in Constantinople (?).  Gold. Bezel 10 x 10 mm.; circumference 56 mm.; weight 4.5 gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Gothic Band (“Black Letter” Posy), “Ensamble” [Together], ca. 1400, British. Gold. Circumference 58 mm.; weight 9.2 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Black Letter Posy Ring, 15th century, British. Gold. Circumference: 53.1 mm.; weight 8.3 g.; US size 6 ½; UK size M ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Posy Ring “A Hart More King You Cannot Find”, 15th–16th century, British. Gold with enamel. Circumference: 51.9 mm.; weight 2.5 g.; US size 6 , UK size L ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Posy Ring “Thinke Wel of Me”, 16th century, British. Gold. Circumference 47/48 mm.; weight 3.3 g.; size USA 4 ¼; size UK H © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Posy Ring “I Like My Choyse”, ca. 1600, British. Gold. Circumference 57 mm.; weight 10.2 g.; US size 7 ¾; UK size P ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Posy “Prenes en Gras”, ca. 1650, British. Gold. Weight: 4.9 g.; circumference: 55.7 mm.; size: US 7.5, UK O ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Posy Ring “Love and Live Happey”, 17th century, British. Gold. Circumference 56/57 mm.; weight 5.5g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Posy Ring “A Verteuous Wiffe Prolongeth Liffe”, 17th century, British. Gold. Circumference 63 mm.; weight 8 g.; US size 10 ½ ; UK size U ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Posy Ring “Providence Divine Hath Made Thee Mine”, ca. 1600–1650, British. Gold. Circumference 62 mm.; weight 9 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Conrad Faber von Creuznach (German, Kreuznach, active by 1524–died 1552/53 Frankfurt), Portrait of a Man with a Moor's Head on His Signet Ring. Oil and gold on wood, 20 7/8 x 14 1/8 in. (53 x 35.9 cm). John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1912. 12.75 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Gothic Signet Ring with My Name Is John, late: 13th century, French or Italian (?). Gold and carnelian. Weight 4.68 g.; diam. 19.5 mm.; bezel 9.5 x 12 mm. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Intaglio Signet Ring, ca. 1590, German or possibly Netherlandish. Gold and rock crystal. Height 14 x width 12 mm.; diameter inner hoop 20 mm.; weight 18.3 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

English Merchant's Ring from Guilhou Collection, late 15th century, British. Gold. Bezel: 13 mm.; size: UK U © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Signet Ring “Talbot”, 15th century, British. Gold. Bezel 14 x 14 x 4 mm.; circumference 65 mm.; weight 11.7 g.; US size 11 ¼; UK size W © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Seal, 14th century, French or Italian. Champlevé enamel, copper-gilt. Overall: 2 1/16 x 1 1/8 x 1 1/4 in. (5.2 x 2.9 x 3.2 cm). Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. 17.190.797 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Renaissance Enamel Ring, mid-15th century, Franco-Netherlandish. Made in Burgundy. Gold, pearls, ronde-bosse, and red enamel. Hoop inner diam. 19,4 mm.; hoop outer diam. 29 mm.; weight 11.29 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Manuscript Leaf with Coat of Arms, from a Book of Hours, ca. 1500, South Netherlandish. Made in Ghent-Bruges, Netherlands. Tempera, ink, and shell gold on parchment, 6 5/16 x 4 11/16 in. (16 x 11.9 cm) Other (Illumination): 5 7/16 x 3 11/16 in. (13.8 x 9.4 cm) Other (mat size): 12 × 10 in. (30.5 × 25.4 cm). The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931. 32.100.475a © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Fragment of a painted mummy shroud, Roman, Egyptian, Imperial, late 2nd–3rd century A.D.. Linen, paint. H.: 11 1/4 in. (28.5 cm). Museum Accession. X.390  © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Hellenistic Garnet Ring, 2nd–1st century BC, Greek. Gold with large cabochon garnets. Weight: 26.7 g.; circumference: 57 mm.; size: US 8, UK P ½; garnets: 9.73 x 8.21 mm., 5.42 x 3,51 mm. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Roman Gemstone Ring, late 4th or 5th century, Roman or perhaps Byzantine. Gold, amethyst, and pearl. Bezel 15 x 13 x 13 mm. and 7 x 7 x 13 mm.; circumference 63 mm.; weight 12.2 gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Early Christian Gemstone Ring,  4th–5th century, Roman. Gold, garnets, and emerald. Bezel 3 x 17 x 18 mm.; circumference 55 mm.; weight 4.2 gr. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Roman Key Ring with Inscription, 4th century, Byzantine. Gold. Height 18.1 mm; exterior diam. of hoop 24.45 mm; bezel 22.36 {x} 14.57 mm Weight 13.55 grams US size 4.25; UK size H ½ © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Late Roman Key Ring “Homonoea”, late 3rd–early 4th century, Roman. Gold and nicolo. Bezel 13 x 18 x 2 mm.; circumference 50 mm.; weight 9.3 gr.; US size 5 ¼; UK size K © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Barthel Bruyn the Younger (German, ca. 1530–before 1610), Portrait of a Woman of the Slosgin Family of Cologne, 1557. Oil on wood. Shaped top, 17 3/4 x 14 1/8 in. (45.1 x 35.9 cm). The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931. 32.100.50 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Stirrup Ring, ca. 1200, British or possibly French. Gold and sapphire. Weight 15.10 grams; Height 31 mm., hoop inner diam. 21 mm.; hoop outer diam. 26,6 mm. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Renaissance Diamond Ring, ca. 1500, Netherlandish (?). Gold and diamond. Bezel 9 x 10 mm.; diameter inner hoop 20 mm.; weight 10.8 g. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.