Rings

by Rachel Church

Rings are perhaps the most common and yet the most evocative pieces of jewelry. Worn as a sign of love or as a fashion accessory, to mark weddings, remember the dead, or show religious faith, the unbroken circle—a plain band or one that is elegantly adorned—holds a multitude of meanings for every wearer. From simple medieval hoops worn to ward off disease, to the glamorous rocks worn on the red carpet by Hollywood stars, to stunning works of art created by contemporary artist-jewelers, this book draws from the collections of the V&A to offer a beautifully illustrated introduction to rings.

Genres: Jewellery, Art, History

128 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Amaia Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like vintage jewelry and I think “Rings” deserves to be in any jewelry collectors’ library. Rachel Church has compiled very interesting information about ring designs and styles, and about why people, from medieval times to the present, have valued this type of jewelry. The rings featured in this book are all from the Victoria and Albert Museum jewelry collection and the pictures (and the rings) are all gorgeous. I don’t get tired of looking at this book, and it’s a great reference for anybody interested in jewelry history and design.

[Antica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insights on rings, their history and their significance over the decades