Posted 1 year ago
highlander56
(69 items)
I love collecting old rings, but don’t run across that many of them in my budget. Running across this one last week was one that had to be added to my collection, even though there is a piece of onyx missing in the top left corner. It’s hard to discern without a loupe.
My Dad was raised Catholic. His Aunt was a Nun...full habit when I was a kid that terrified me and my brother when we saw her ????. We were raised Lutheran...another story. I know sisters always wear one ring, but do not know whether they wear any other rings. My Dad and great-aunt are no longer around for me to ask. This one was very loved. The Mary and Joseph appear to be a gold piece that is riveted onto the onyx. It is worn to the point one can hardly recognize them. Mary seems to have a halo behind her head, which I’ve seen more in depictions of European religious artifacts.
The setting is Sterling and marked as such. It too is very worn. There is another mark that consists of maybe a symbol, letter and another symbol but I can’t get it clean enough to read. Its 3/4” long and a little over 3/8” wide. It’s a size 4 and weighs 2.3 grams.
Your comments and ideas are always appreciated? Here’s wishing all of you a great 2020! I’m still recovering from the aftermath of 2019...????
Terry
I doubt if nuns wore this type of ring. Most I ever saw on them at St. Columbkille's grade school was a plain gold wedding ring and a big chunky wood cross "rosary" necklace. Yes, they had full habit garb and I was a scared little kid until I hit 6th grade. LOL This looks 1930's-50's. Very interesting, I agree - love old rings too. Happy 2020 to you.
valentino97 I posted a response to you yesterday, but don’t see it. Must have hit the return button thinking it would do magic rather than Submit. LOL...the air in Denver is thin!
Thank you for your date estimate! I was clueless and just thought it was old due to how worn it was. It was interesting you mentioned the wooden rosary and cross. I showed the ring to my Mom yesterday and she said that’s the only other thing she remembered my great-aunt wearing. She was laughing about my brother and I...and the cousins, scattering when my Aunt Helen (Sister Lavinia) came to visit. She was evidently quite amused by it. The Flying Nun and Sister Betrille helped alleviate the fears.
Thank you again!
Terry
Terry - I didn't have any nuns in my family thank goodness. But, I really loved my grade 1-8 world at St. Columbkille with Sister Donna Marie, Sister Justine and Sister Mark. Sister Mark also wore keys around her waist and we heard her coming...we usually made mischief and then ran...