Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram

mid 16th-early 17th century AD

Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram
Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram
Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram
Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram
Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram
Late Renaissance gilded silver seal ring with Jesuit IHS Christogram
375.00 VAT margin scheme
Article code26-0720
Silver-tilt seal ring with a prominent oval bezel. A central oval panel is slightly raised and is engraved with the sacred Christogram IHS, surmounted by a cross and three nails below. The panel is framed by a ribbed border which depicts the sun. The shoulders and first part of the hoop are decorated with incised geometric motifs.

Outside diameter: ± 25,7 mm
Inside diameter: ± 22,6 x 18,6 mm
Bezel: ± 18,3 mm

Condition: good condition with visible wear, surface deposits and age-related patina. The gilding is mostly preserved, with rubbing and losses to the high points. The border of the bezel shows some loss, the central panel is still complete.

The Jesuits very strongly used the IHS symbol. It became especially associated with the Society of Jesus, founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century.
The Jesuit emblem commonly shows IHS with a cross rising from the H, often surrounded by rays, and sometimes with three nails below. Because of this, an IHS with a cross or radiating motif suggests Jesuit or post-medieval Catholic devotional use.
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