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Details
A heavy silver 'Magical' ring
The broad hoop with a spherical rock-crystal in the bezel and cabochon moonstone in the back, the band engraved with Latin and Greek inscriptions, probably 17th century, finger size R
The broad hoop with a spherical rock-crystal in the bezel and cabochon moonstone in the back, the band engraved with Latin and Greek inscriptions, probably 17th century, finger size R
Provenance
Private collection, Germany; acquired 1960-1981, and thence by descent to the present owner.
Further details
The Latin inscriptions on the hoop can be loosely translated Obstruct me not, pursue me not and according to Joan Evans, Magical Jewels of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Oxford 1922, moonstone could be used against epilepsy or help to bring about reconciliation between lovers, while rock-crystal was effective in protecting the wearer from terror of the night.