Description:
Finger ring owned by Mary Jones (1817-1865), which is shown on her middle finger in her portrait (HD 2001.28.1) by Erastus Field (1805-1900). Mary Jones married John Clark in 1836, the same year that her portrait was painted. Garnets, amethysts, emeralds and diamonds were the principal stones used in rings of the period. This ring is made of a thin band of copper alloy, with four purple-red stones (amethysts) and a larger center stone (garnet). There may have origially been four much smaller stones, one in each of the four corners of the ring's bezel design. Two, more modern repair patches are visible inside the band. The ring is an excellent and rare documented example of more ordinary jewelry owned by inhabitants of the Connecticut River Valley in the early 19th century. The ring would have been made by a local jeweler near Jones, and reflects a Gothic Revival aesthetic.
Label Text:
In the portrait by Erastus Salisbury Field (1805-1900), Mary Jones displays this ring on her middle finger, possibly signifying her engagement. Jones married John Clark in 1836, the year that her portrait was painted. Garnets, amethysts, emeralds, and diamonds were the principle stones used in rings of the period.
In her portrait by Erastus Salisbury Field, Mary Jones displays this ring on her middle finger, possibly signifying her engagement. Jones married John Clark in 1836, the year that her portrait was painted. Garnets, amethysts, emeralds, and diamonds were the principle stones used in rings at that time.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2001.28.3 |
