Mastery of Design: The Charles Ricketts Garnet Ring, 1899-1903

Garnet Ring in the shape of a castle
Charles Ricketts, c. 1903
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This ring once belonged to Miss May Morris, the daughter of the socialist, artist and designer William Morris.  May was, in her own right,  a well-known and talented embroideress and jeweler.

The artist Charles Ricketts designed this ring of a cabochon almandine garnet in a high setting in the form of a turret or small castle for May.  This architectural ring was favored by Miss Morris who was particularly impressed by the ring’s shoulders which resembled gothic buttresses.

Ricketts also created various embroidery designs for May Morris. The artist usually designed jewelry for specific friends. These pieces were made by the London jeweler Carlo Giuliano.

Mastery of Design: The Jane Morris Citrine, 1820-30

Citrine Brooch
Set with emeralds and rubies.
Belonging to Mrs. Jane Morris
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This handsome citrine brooch originally belonged to Jane Morris, the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris.  We’ve looked at several of “Janey’s” jewels before.  Many of them, oddly enough, didn’t come from her famous husband, but, instead came from one of his famous friends.  You see, Janey was often painted by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti with whom she enjoyed a long “friendship.”  Many of Janey’s  jewels were given to her by Rossetti—including this one.

Oblong with rounded corners, the brooch is set with twelve small rubies and emeralds which are mounted in the filigree frame which surrounds the central stone.  It was made between 1820 and 1830.  It was later adapted to be worn as a pendant.

Her collection was bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter, May, in 1938.

Some other baubles Rossetti gave to "Janey."

Mastery of Design: The May Morris Ruby Ring, 1900

Ring
May Morris, 1900
The Victoria & Albert Museum

May Morris (1862-1938) , the daughter of designer and Socialist William Morris and his wife Janey Morris, was an excellent designer in her own right and created several pieces of exceptional jewelry.  Here, we see one of her works—a gold ring set with a ruby.  Made, obviously, in England, the ring dates to about 1900.

Mastery of Design: The Charles Ricketts Garnet Ring, 1899-1903

Garnet Ring in the shape of a castle
Charles Ricketts, c. 1903
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This ring once belonged to Miss May Morris, the daughter of the socialist, artist and designer William Morris.  May was, in her own right,  a well-known and talented embroideress and jeweler.

The artist Charles Ricketts designed this ring of a cabochon almandine garnet in a high setting in the form of a turret or small castle for May.  This architectural ring was favored by Miss Morris who was particularly impressed by the ring’s shoulders which resembled gothic buttresses.

Ricketts also created various embroidery designs for May Morris. The artist usually designed jewelry for specific friends. These pieces were made by the London jeweler Carlo Giuliano.