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Higsvsna Zavsrex

Betrothal ring with sacred inscription.

In the Braybrooke Collection is a splendid gold gemmel ring, with enamelled and jewelled twin or double hoops, which play one within another, like the links of a chain. Each hoop has one of its sides convex, the other flat, and each is set with a stone, one a fine ruby, the other an aquamarine, or beryl, so that, upon bringing together the flat surfaces of the hoops the latter immediately unite in one ring, and as they close, the stones slide into contact, forming a head to the whole. The inside flat surfaces are inscribed with the words 'Quod Deus conjunxit, homo non separet,' part on one hoop, part on the other, so as to be legible when these are opened, but entirely concealed when they are reunited in one ring. This seems to be an exception to the general rule, with respect to rings of the same denomination, since the hoops cannot be dissevered according to the usual custom at betrothals. Nares, in his 'Glossary,' observes that the name 'gimmal' was preserved to rings made triple, or even more complimentary. This splendid specimen is of Italian workmanship, dating about the end of the fifteenth or the beginning of the sixteenth century. At a meeting of the Archæological Institute in March 1863 the Rev. John Beck exhibited some curious specimens Y of linked or 'puzzle-rings. One of gold consists of seven slender rings linked together, which, when properly adjusted, combine in a knot. Another, of silver, consists of four slight rings, set with a blue stone, and ornamented with flowers of forget-me-not. A third, also of silver, has nine rings, which, when intertwined, unite so as to present a fede as the head of the ring.

The French term for the hooped rings is foi, alliance, which last word in the 'Dictionnaire de Trevoux' is defined to be a ring 'que l'accordé donne à son accordée, où il y a un fil d'or et un fil d'argent.' 000000 0000 Devices on Wedding-rings.