Free Downloads Rings For The Finger (Dover Jewelry And Metalwork)
There is probably no item that is so common to almost all cultures and ages of man, yet so frequently overlooked, as rings. Nearly everyone wears (or has worn) rings; yet what person today could tell you anything about their origins, original uses, history, or even the customs behind modern engagement, wedding, and graduation rings? Here is a book that will answer these and many more questions about rings and is certain to expand and enhance your appreciation of them.From the fabled ring of Prometheus — made from a link of his chain and a chunk of the rock to which he was bound — up to today, rings have had numerous functions, associations and meanings. Originally used as signets and seals, they began to be worn as jewelry, used for religious and magical purposes, and given as tokens and mementos for events stretching from birth to death. The notorious poison-bearing rings of the Borgias, the rings worn by the followers of Charles I after his execution, which had the king's portrait secretly hidden beneath a table-cut diamond, and many other famous rings of history are covered in this book along with a host of ring lore; lords and ladies scratching messages to each other on panes of glass with their diamonds, the legend of Solomon's ring, which reappeared in a fish after having been lost for forty years, and Plato's reprimand to Aristotle over his excessive use of rings. The book also covers methods of ring making, from earliest times up to today, the materials and gems used in rings, and rings from many cultures and archaeological excavations around the world. Origins for many customs concerning rings are explained, and numerous examples of verses and inscriptions found on rings are given. Also included are hundreds of photos of rings of all sorts and varieties, and a selection of historical paintings that illustrate rings as they were worn.Tracing the origins and development of so common an ornament is fascinating and enlightening. The ring wearer will begin to feel himself a part of one of the oldest and richest customs of man. The artist and antique collector will appreciate more fully the craftsmanship involved in making rings as well as the colorful and abundant lore associated with them.
Series: Dover Jewelry and Metalwork
Paperback: 399 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications (December 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486222268
ISBN-13: 978-0486222264
Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 1 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,042,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #345 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Jewelry #2779 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Beauty, Grooming, & Style #112584 in Books > Arts & Photography
Not only does this book give you the history of this still culturally significant custom of rings and the giving of rings, it delves into the background and techniques of magic rings, including the significance and symbolism of all materials used. Very thorough.
RINGS FOR THE FINGER (1917) by George Frederick Kunz is a nice, updating piece of research meant to compliment Sir William Jones' Victorian masterpiece, Finger-Ring Lore: Historical, Legendary, Anecdotal (Classic Reprint) (see my review). Kunz, who was a famed mineralogist, did the common Edwardian thing and sort of lifted Jones' work more or less as Jones published. This was no big deal, as Jones himself nearly plagiarized all his sources as well.Still this is a handy paperback, good for reference and shows a number of fuzzy old photos (which Jones could not do). All you need to know about the mythology and some of the history behind rings and folklore is here. Bear in mind the early date of this work: it will be missing a great deal. For example, this book shows a photo of an Irish Claddagh ring and identifies it, but Kunz does not write a thing about it - whereas Jones did the reverse.This book I consider one of a trilogy of ring history books, the third being James McCarthy's very fun Rings Through The Ages: An Informal History (see my review).
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