{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O121031"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121031/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2007BR3514/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2007BR3514/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2007BR3514","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BR3515","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O121031/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O121031","accessionNumber":"M.341-1975","objectType":"Signet ring","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Rings are the most commonly surviving medieval jewels. They were worn by both sexes, across all levels of society. Some portraits show wearers with multiple rings across all their fingers. Although rings were worn for decoration, they also had important practical functions. Signet rings such as this one were pressed into sealing wax to create a unique, legally recognised signature. \r\n\r\nSignets could be engraved with a coat of arms for those entitled to bear them, with a personal device or simply with an initial letter. Brass or bronze signet rings were a cheaper alternative to gold or silver. \r\n","physicalDescription":"Brass signet ring, formerly gilt with an octagonal bezel inscribed <i>N.S.</i> over a tournament shield","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Engraved brass, formerly gilt","categories":[{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Europeana Fashion Project","id":"THES265804"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2007BR3514","2007BR3515"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"91","id":"THES49703"},"free":"","case":"6","shelf":"A","box":"12"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Ring","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Italy","id":"x28927"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"late 15th century","earliest":"1450-01-01","latest":"1500-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Miss E. M. Begg","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"2.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"2.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"inscribed <i>N.S.</i> over a tournament shield","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"The arms appear to be those of the Counts Spreti, Italy and Bavaria"}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Brass signet ring, formerly gilt with an octagonal bezel inscribed <i>N.S.</i> over a tournament shield , Italy, late 15th century","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"shields (armor)","id":"AAT36869"},{"text":"coats of arms","id":"AAT126352"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.341-1975"],"accessionNumberNum":"341","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1975,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LR1797","2019LT6303","2019LW7580"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-08","recordCreationDate":"2006-02-14","availableToBook":false}}