Accession Number

2006.007.0001

Creation Date

circa 1600

Description

Consists of a square topaz setting with plain gold band.

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023):

Personal Adornments

Philip IV ruled Spain from 1621 to 1665. To express his piety and enforce it in his court, he added to previous sumptuary laws to create the “Spanish style”—dark clothing with few ornaments. However, the new laws would not have reached the colonies by the time the 1622 fleet sailed. The dress ornaments in this case are from the earlier period, in which aristocrats and conquistador families enjoyed showing off their wealth in fine attire spangled with gold and jewels.
Object Caption (2023):

Ring
Gold, white topaz (c.1620)
Gift of Michael J.T. Patton
2006.007.0001