{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O118326"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O118326/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2007BM5714/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2007BM5714/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2007BM5714","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM5715","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O118326/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O118326","accessionNumber":"M.58-1960","objectType":"Ring","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"From at least the fifteenth century, candidates called to be admitted to the ranks of Serjeants-at-Law (the highest rank of lawyer below judges) were required to present rings bearing a suitable motto to the monarch and various dignitaries. They frequently also gave  further rings as souvenirs to their friends. The practice came to an end when the office was abolished by the Judicature Act of 1875.  New mottoes were chosen at each call; the rings differing in value according to the rank of their recipients. The rings were generally gold  with a suitable motto inscribed around the outer hoop. \n\nThis ring was given at the general call for Serjeants at Law of Sir William Blackstone in 1770. It is inscribed in Latin around the hoop, 'Secundis dubiiq. rectus'. The inscription is taken from Horace 'est animus tibi rerumque prudens, et secundis temporibus dubiisque rectus' (you possess a mind both sagacious in the management of affairs and steady at once in prosperous times).","physicalDescription":"Serjeant-at-Law's gold ring inscribed on the outside 'Secundis dubiisq.rectus', the call of William Blackstone 1770, maker's mark of Edmund Prince","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Prince, Edmund","id":"A16859"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Engraved gold","categories":[{"text":"Ceremonial objects","id":"THES48981"},{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2007BM5714","2007BM5715"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"91 (VA)","id":"THES49703"},"free":"","case":"12","shelf":"B","box":"13"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Ring","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1770","earliest":"1770-01-01","latest":"1770-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Dame Joan Evans","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Depth","value":"1.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"inscribed 'Secundis dubiisq.rectus'","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"'Unswerving through success and doubts'","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Call of William Blackstone 1770"},{"content":"mark","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Maker's mark for Edmund Prince"}],"objectHistory":"The inscription is taken from Horace 'est animus tibi rerumque prudens, et secundis temporibus dubiisque rectus' (you possess a mind both sagacious in the management of affairs and steady at once in prosperous times)","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Serjeant-at-Law's gold ring inscribed on the outside 'Secundis dubiisq.rectus', the call of William Blackstone 1770, maker's mark of Edmund Prince, England, 1770","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.58-1960"],"accessionNumberNum":"58","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1960,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP1948","2019LT1282","2019LW5133"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-08","recordCreationDate":"2005-11-08","availableToBook":false}}