Antique jewelry glossary

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Rebus ring

A type of signet ring having engraved on the bezel a rebus representing the name of the owner. Such rings, made of gold, silver or gilded brass, were popular in the Middle Ages. On some examples an object depicted might have several interpretations, making the correct name difficult to determine. Other articles of jewelry, e.g. a tie pin, were also sometimes made with a rebus.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson