{"product_id":"medieval-silver-ring-merrick-14th-16th-century-ce-authentic-merchants-mark-signet-handelsmarke-historical-jewelry","title":"Medieval Silver Ring - 'Merrick' (14th–16th c. CE) EU 55.5 \/ US 7.5","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis medieval silver signet ring, named 'Merrick,' carries a merchant's mark engraved upon its oval bezel, a private commercial device used by Northern European traders between the 14th and 16th centuries. A vertical staff with crossbar rises from a radiating triangular base, flanked by a crescent moon and a star. The notched shoulders and concentric framing of the bezel speak to the confident craftsmanship of a Medieval silversmith.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEra: Medieval, 14th–16th Century CE\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Silver\u003cbr\u003eRing Size: EU 55.5 \/ US 7.5\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Well-preserved, with differential sulfide tarnish in the recesses and natural wear on the high points\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: From a private Belgian collection, acquired between the 1960s and 1990s\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: R-198-S\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRestoration and Authenticity:\u003cbr\u003eOffered in its original and cleaned condition with no modern repairs. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorical Context:\u003cbr\u003eMerchant marks, known as Handelsmarken or Hausmarken, served as personal commercial signatures for traders who did not bear heraldic arms. Pressed into wax to seal contracts, bales of cloth, or letters of credit, such devices were the working identity of merchants across England, the Low Countries, and the Hanseatic ports. The combination of staff, crossbar, crescent, and star was a personal flourish, distinguishing one trader from his peers within a busy commercial network. This is an antique ring with engraved iconography that speaks directly to the daily life of Medieval commerce.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy This Piece?\u003cbr\u003eA historical ring with documented provenance and a legible, period-diagnostic device, 'Merrick' is a rare survival of wearable medieval jewelry from the world of the medieval merchant. Few signets carry such a clearly readable mark.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/medieval-crusader-rings\"\u003eMedieval rings\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61909437153610,"sku":"R-198-S","price":420.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/IMG_0726.jpg?v=1779690083","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/medieval-silver-ring-merrick-14th-16th-century-ce-authentic-merchants-mark-signet-handelsmarke-historical-jewelry","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}