Dear Friends of Les Enluminures:

This is the first issue of the e-Letter of Medieval-Rings.com that brings you news of the happenings at the gallery concerning Medieval and Renaissance rings. In addition, this and subsequent issues include timely notices about museum exhibitions, conferences and symposia, recently published books, and other breaking news, including extraordinary finds. We plan to issue the four times annually. Previous copies can be consulted online at www.medieval-rings.com.

Jewels of Love

Nov. 26, 2008 - Jan.15, 2009
 
Les Enluminures' annual Christmas exhibition presents 100 Medieval and Renaissance rings from c. 300 to c. 1600. Highlights include an ancient key-type ring with a pierced band, a medieval Gothic ring with a claw setting, and a Renaissance ruby ring. Prices start at 3,000 Euros. A small fully-illustrated brochure entitled "Jewels of Love" is available in the gallery or on request at a nominal charge. Or shop in the comfort of your home. See all the rings in the exhibit with full descriptions at:

www.medieval-rings.com
 
Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

2008
 
 
Les Enluminures is proud to have been selected for inclusion in the legendary Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Following its launch in the Dallas Cowboys Football Stadium (see Sandra with Santa), the Christmas Book, now in its 82nd edition, includes baubles to tantalize the imagination and indulge the pocketbook, such as our Viking Ring, Signet Ring, and Renaissance Tourmaline Ring. Check them out under the "Wow Gifts" section on p. 72.

www.neimanmarcus.com/store/sitelets/christmasbook/
       
The Ritz Hotel

2008 - 2009
 
Tucked away discretely in the corridor leading from the Bar Vendôme to the Bar Hemingway in the Ritz Hotel, "synonymous with elegance and perfection," you will find a showcase displaying a carefully-chosen sampling of our Medieval and Renaissance Rings. If you're "putting on the Ritz" for the holiday--or thereafter--, why not stop by and visit us in César Ritz's luxury hotel. Through 2009.
Erfurt: Jewish Treasures from Medieval Ashkenaz

Sept. 9, 2008 - Jan. 29, 2009
New York,
Yeshiva University Museum
 
The Erfurt Treasure is a hoard of coins, goldsmith's work and jewelry that belonged to a Jewish family, who secreted them hastily in 1349 at the time of the Black Death. The pieces were never recovered until they were found in 1998 in the wall of a house in the medieval Jewish neighborhood of Erfurt, Germany. Included in the hoard is a medieval Jewish wedding ring, brooches, a set of beakers, dress ornaments, and other accessories. Exhibited in the summer at the Musée National du Moyen Age (Cluny) in Paris, the exhibit will travel in the Spring to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

www.yumuseum.org/index.php
 

Bedazzled:
5,000 Years of Jewelry

Oct. 19, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009
Baltimore, Walters Art Museum

 
"Bedazzled" highlights the passion of Henry Walters (1848 - 1931) for magnificent jewelry from a large variety of cultures and periods. A special section of the exhibition highlights more than 50 rings--marriage and betrothal rings and others that are symbols of status, faith, and loyalty--from the renowned collection of the New York gemologist and collector, Benjamin Zucker. Another special section takes a close look at forgeries.

www.thewalters.org/eventscalendar/
Reine Hadjadj.
Bagues mérovingiennes
Gaule du nord,
Paris (Editions Les Chevau-légers), 2007 (48 Euros).
Based on her thesis at the Sorbonne, Hadjadj's book includes a catalogue with color pictures of 601 Merovingian rings from museums and private collections worldwide. A useful introduction surveys the forms of rings, their fabrication, symbolism, etc. Finding sites are also included. This "must have" book provides a welcome update to the standard reference work by Maximin Deloche (Etude historique et archéologique sur les anneaux sigillaires..., Paris, 1900).
 
Treasure:
a black diamond ring found

August 2008
 
 
In August 2008, a medieval ring (11th century?) with a rare black diamond was found in the fields in Leicestershire. The ring was declared treasure and must be valued by the government before sale, with the right of refusal going to a British museum.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/
 
Just opened:
"The Art of Gem Engraving:
From Alexander the Great to
Napoleon III"

Nov. 15, 2008 - Dec. 23, 2008
Fukuoka City Museum, Japan
 
 
Chief curator Diana Scarisbrick, along with Martin Henig and Lucia Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, are authors of a book in Japanese and English accompanying this exhibition of more than 400 gems chosen from collections worldwide. The exhibition focuses on cameos and intaglios commissioned and collected by powerful individuals as a means to symbolize their glory.
       
Do you have news of interest to readers of the e-Letter of Medieval-Rings.com, an exhibition you have seen, a recent book, an exceptional ring?

Please contact the editors at:
rings@lesenluminures.com

Les Enluminures
Le Louvre des Antiquaires
2 Place du Palais Royal
75001 Paris
France
+33 1 42 60 15 58