Treasures and Talismans: Rings from the Griffin Collection

Rings are one of the oldest and most familiar forms of bodily adornment. Worn by both women and men, they serve as declarations of status, markers of significant life events, expressions of identity, and protective talismans. They also have been a source of boundless invention for goldsmiths and their clients.

The rings featured in this exhibition come from the Griffin Collection, named after the mythical creature that is part lion and part eagle. In medieval lore, the griffin was often a guardian of treasure and was known to seek out gold in rocks. While the collection includes finger rings from across the ages, our selection focuses specifically on objects made in the ancient, medieval, and Renaissance periods. These were especially innovative moments in the development of finger rings, and the wide variety of designs on view testifies to the creative energy of premodern goldsmiths. Related works from the Metropolitan’s collection highlight the connections between rings and other works of art, such as painting, metalwork, and manuscript illumination.

Exploring the making of rings from raw material to finished product and from goldsmith to owner, this exhibition will highlight rings as both physical objects and works of art. The significance of rings in the lives of medieval and Renaissance people will be a featured topic. Also discussed will be the connection of rings to religion, superstition, love, marriage, and identity.