The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Inscribed Sapphire Ring

late 14th century (setting); 10th century? (sapphire)

Not on view

Many rings employ stones repurposed from other pieces of jewelry. This extraordinary ring showcases a large sapphire inscribed in Arabic with the name: “Abd as-Salam ibn Ahmad.” The stone, engraved centuries before the ring was created, was clearly highly prized. Sapphire, which was quarried in Ceylon, Arabia, and Persia, came west through trade. The stone was associated with chastity and purity. A second inscription reads: “For love you were made and for love I wear you.” This work, with its mixture of eastern and western elements, is among one of the rarest in the Griffin Collection.

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian

Inscribed Sapphire Ring, Gold, sapphire, Italian

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Inscribed Sapphire Ring

Date: late 14th century (setting); 10th century? (sapphire)

Culture: Italian

Medium: Gold, sapphire

Dimensions: Height 30.8 mm; hoop outer diam. 27.89 mm; bezel 16.15 x 17.4 mm; weight 23.5 grams; US size 7.25; UK size O

Classification: Metalwork-Gold

Credit Line: Griffin Collection

Object Number: L.2015.73.3

Chronology

Italian Peninsula, 1000-1400 A.D.

The Met

Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.