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Directory: Estate Jewelry: Silver: Pre Victorian: Pre 1700: Item # 1460366

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Moylan-Smelkinson/The Spare Room
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P.O. Box 4684
Baltimore, Maryland 21212
tel. 410-435-3738

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A late Medieval signet ring of silver engraved with strong cross cultural references of the pelican in her piety and navigation symbols of the moon and stars. During the medieval period many were illiterate and pictorial signet rings served the practical purpose of bearing a mark that when impressed upon clay would authenticate documents. The Pelican in her piety refers to the medieval fable of the pelican drawing blood from her breast to feed her chicks. The Pelican thus is a strong symbol of the blood of Christ in communion, a sacrifice needed for the redemption of mankind. The crescent moon and star suggests middle eastern/Islamic influence whereupon travel along the desert trade routes was largely by night, and navigation depended upon the position of the moon and stars. The moon represents the guidance of God on roads. The ring is a US size 11.