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Betrothal and Wedding Rings: Thomas

The betrothal or wedding ring of Sir Thomas Gresham (1544) engraved in Burgon's life of that eminent merchant prince, opens horizontally, thus forming a double ring of gold, linked together in the form of a gemmel; in one half is set a white stone, in the other a red; in the interior of each half is a cavity, in one of which is a small figure of a child in gold, enamelled; 'QVOD DEVS CONIVNSIT' Wedding-ring of Sir Thomas Gresham. is engraved on one half, and 'HOMO NON SEPARET' on the other.

This interesting relic was formerly in the possession of the Thruston family, at Weston Hall, Suffolk, and was exhibited at the Society of Antiquaries (April 1862) by Granville Leveson Gower, Esq. A gemmel-ring of the sixteenth century, found in the Thames, is in the Londesborough Collection.

Originally gilt, it is of silver: two hands are clasped; on the opposite side two quatrefoils spring from a heart engraved: 'Help God!' or 'God help!' A remarkably fine gemmel-ring (Londesborough) is here engraved.

It is set with sapphire and amethyst, the elaborate and beautiful design BERA 705 SAMEN Gemmel-ring. 13 FV enriched by coloured enamels. The lower figure in the representation of this ring shows it parted, displaying the inscription on the flat side of each section, which is also enriched by engraving and niello.