Seal (emblem)#Signet rings

A signet ring is a ring which can be used as a stamp seal. As Siegel earlier confirmed the authenticity of documents, the seal ring is a symbol of power and authority.

History

From 2000 BC, rings were worn in Egypt, especially Skarabäusmotive were popular, which were also used as seal rings. The scarab beetle on these rings was usually carved from a precious stone and is provided on its underside with the hieroglyph of the jewelry maker. Initially, these beetles representations were pierced lengthwise and worn on a leather string around your finger - very soon this linen thread was then replaced by a gold wire. From 1500 BC stable ring rails were used instead of the gold wire and the scarab beetle riveted on these rails, so that he remained free to rotate. Still later, during the reign of Tut- ench -Amun, appeared the first sealing rings on modern architecture, where the name of the carrier ring was engraved on the decorative front panel of the ring. Were produced in this period more complicated rings, wore the little figures of gods and symbolically important animals as an ornament, and the lotus flower it was used as a ring motif and decorated with elaborate gemstone deposits. Between 1550 BC and 1500 BC in Ancient Egypt at the same time, demonstrated in Ugarit and among the Hittites. In Mesopotamia, he found, however, does not apply. In Iran, the sealing ring is not until the end of the second and occupies the beginning of the first millennium BC in the region of Luristan. Several centuries later, he was in the era of the Achaemenid Empire and also in Greece in use.

The signet ring consisted mostly of the metals gold, silver, bronze or copper, and was produced in several variants: either assembled as a unitary molded seal ring or two pieces of plates and brackets; beside consisting also of a bent metal band. More rarely, however, signet rings are coated with a sealing stone.

Signet Ring of Alaric II Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum

Signet ring, probably 16th century, Cape Creek site ( Croatan ), Buxton, Dare County, North Carolina

Seal - ring of the Sauter family, Switzerland