Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Mastery of Design: The Duke of York Ring, 1791



Ring
British, 1791
The Victoria & Albert Museum



This ring is a souvenir of the marriage in Berlin on September 29, 1791 of Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Earl of Ulster (1763-1827). Frederick was the second son of King George III, and Princess Frederica of Prussia. Traditionally, the second son of the Regent is created the Duke of York. Only Queen Victoria strayed from this practice.


The enameled gold ring was presented by the bridegroom to John Marling, a guest at the wedding. The swelling hoop of the ring is inscribed with interlaced Y’s (for York) and the hoop is inscribed “SOYEZ HEUREUX” meaning “Be Happy” in French.






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