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Rings of this type mostly date from the 15th and 16th centuries and are decorated with papal arms, mitres, crossed keys, and other ecclesiastical symbols. Their name is somewhat misleading, as it is unlikely that they were actually worn by the popes, given the quantities that were produced and the inexpensive materials used, which would not appeal to the papal taste for precious stones in lavish settings. Therefore, it remains unclear for whom these rings were intended. Their massive size adds to the mystery, as they probably would not have been worn for an extended time. One explanation is that they are meant as signs of authentication of the wearer, for example the bearer of diplomatic papers. This example bears the arms of Cardinal Gabriele Condolmerio (1408-1431), a cardinal's mitre, and a papal tiara. Thus the wearer could be carrying paper from the cardinal.

Page data

Page
2
Source index
0
Type
photo
Media ID
b5ca123cb1b603c1
Size
unknown

Document data

ID
36521
Core
obj
Type
object
DTO data
{
    "id": "36521",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.434",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "\"\"Papal\"\" Ring",
    "description": "Rings of this type mostly date from the 15th and 16th centuries and are decorated with papal arms, mitres, crossed keys, and other ecclesiastical symbols. Their name is somewhat misleading, as it is unlikely that they were actually worn by the popes, given the quantities that were produced and the inexpensive materials used, which would not appeal to the papal taste for precious stones in lavish settings. Therefore, it remains unclear for whom these rings were intended. Their massive size adds to the mystery, as they probably would not have been worn for an extended time. One explanation is that they are meant as signs of authentication of the wearer, for example the bearer of diplomatic papers. This example bears the arms of Cardinal Gabriele Condolmerio (1408-1431), a cardinal's mitre, and a papal tiara. Thus the wearer could be carrying paper from the cardinal.",
    "provenance": "Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown];  Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.",
    "date": "1408-1431 (Renaissance)",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.434",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Metal",
        "finger rings"
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    "imageCount": 2,
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    "source": "import",
    "dimensions": [
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        }
    ],
    "dimensionsRaw": "1 9/16 x 1 in. (4 x 2.6 cm)"
}

Context sent to Scholar

Document identity
{
    "localId": "36521",
    "label": "\"\"Papal\"\" Ring",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.434"
}
Document source metadata
{
    "id": "36521",
    "sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.434",
    "contentType": "object",
    "stage": "normalized",
    "title": "\"\"Papal\"\" Ring",
    "description": "Rings of this type mostly date from the 15th and 16th centuries and are decorated with papal arms, mitres, crossed keys, and other ecclesiastical symbols. Their name is somewhat misleading, as it is unlikely that they were actually worn by the popes, given the quantities that were produced and the inexpensive materials used, which would not appeal to the papal taste for precious stones in lavish settings. Therefore, it remains unclear for whom these rings were intended. Their massive size adds to the mystery, as they probably would not have been worn for an extended time. One explanation is that they are meant as signs of authentication of the wearer, for example the bearer of diplomatic papers. This example bears the arms of Cardinal Gabriele Condolmerio (1408-1431), a cardinal's mitre, and a papal tiara. Thus the wearer could be carrying paper from the cardinal.",
    "provenance": "Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown];  Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.",
    "date": "1408-1431 (Renaissance)",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.434",
    "rightsUri": "CC0",
    "language": "en",
    "genreSpecific": [
        "Metal",
        "finger rings"
    ],
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    "thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL1_54.434_Prof_TR_T04II.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL1_54.434_Prof_TR_T04II.jpg",
    "imageCount": 2,
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    "source": "import",
    "dimensions": [
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        }
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}
Document source extras
{
    "med": "gilded bronze, red stone",
    "creator_ids": [
        "33562"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "REN",
        "JWL"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": [
        "1954",
        "2227",
        "2513",
        "2289",
        "453"
    ]
}
Page context
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    "mediaId": "b5ca123cb1b603c1"
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