{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O123222"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O123222/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2007BM1075/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2007BM1075/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2007BM1075","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM1079","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM1077","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM1076","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM1073","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2007BM1074","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O123222/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O123222","accessionNumber":"664-1871","objectType":"Ring","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Very large gilt bronze or copper rings set with glass or crystal bezels are often known as Papal rings. They are decorated with the arms of Popes or  Cardinals from the 15th century along with papal keys and tiaras and are usually distinguished by their great size and low intrinsic value. Their exact  function is unknown but it has been suggested that they were worn as credentials by mounted couriers between Popes and other church figures and  sovereigns. They served to prove the identity of the messager but were not of a value which would tempt thieves. \r\n\r\nThese rings were very popular with nineteenth century antiquarians and it is likely that out of the 100 plus surviving examples, some were made later to  satisfy the demands of collectors. ","physicalDescription":"Gilt bronze Papal ring, set with green chalcedony. The shoulders with the engraved arms of King Alfonso the Magnanimous. The hoop inscribed <i>RX RAGONA</i>","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Gilt and engraved bronze set with green chalcedony","categories":[{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Royalty","id":"THES48899"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2007BM1075","2007BM1079","2007BM1077","2007BM1076","2007BM1073","2007BM1074"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"91","id":"THES49703"},"free":"","case":"6","shelf":"A","box":"23"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Ring","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Italy","id":"x28927"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"mid 15th century","earliest":"1425-01-01","latest":"1475-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"7.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"3.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"3.9","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"410.3","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"inscribed <i>RX RAGONA</i>","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"King and Aragon","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"The hoop"},{"content":"Engraved coat of arms","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"for King Alfonso 'the Magnanimous', King of Aragon and Sicily (1416-58) and Naples (1442-58)","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"The shoulders"}],"objectHistory":"ex Waterton Collection","historicalContext":"These types of rings are distinguished by their massive size and low intrinsic worth. It is believed they were used as credentials by mounted couriers. The size of the rings made it possible for them to be worn over riding gloves and the low value helped preserve their wearers from attacks by robbers on the road","briefDescription":"Gilt bronze Papal ring, set with green chalcedony. The shoulders with the engraved arms of King Alfonso the Magnanimous. The hoop inscribed <i>RX RAGONA</i>, Italy, mid 15th century","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"coats of arms","id":"AAT126352"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["664-1871"],"accessionNumberNum":"664","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1871,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LW7216"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-08","recordCreationDate":"2006-04-21","availableToBook":false}}