A Medieval amuletic silver ring engraved with the names of the Magi.
English, 13th century.
Ring size V UK / 10.5 US / 64 EU.
Weighs 2.8 grams.
The ring is set with a faux natural octahedral diamond, made from a separate piece of silver set in a rub-over setting, the same way as that of a gemstone.
The outside of the band is deeply engraved with the names of the three biblical Kings; ‘Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar’.
The engraved names of the three kings was believed to protect against disease, specifically epilepsy, which was known as the ‘falling sickness’, making this a highly potent amuletic ring.
A silver gilt ring also decorated with a faux natural diamond can be found in the collection of the Victoria and Albert museum:
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O126784/ring-unknown/
Many magical rings have been found in Britain, other examples are in the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert museums collections:
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121724/ring-unknown/
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1005
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-895
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121948/ring-unknown/
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121953/ring-unknown/
Numerous jewels with the names of the Magi can be found in the British Museum and the V&A:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1019
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_AF-1017
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121198/ring-unknown/
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O15211/ring-brooch-unknown/
Another example in the collection of the National Museums Scotland:
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/collection-search-results/finger-ring/29108
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