Ring 1800 - 1900

This ring, made by an anonymous artist, features an oval ivory carving set within a metal band, and is held in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago. Note the cameo’s orientation to the left, against the curved, contained shape, and the ring’s textured band around the cameo that lends an air of classical dignity. The craftsmanship suggests a structured view of human value, embedded in social custom. The lines and the subtle contrast of the relief within the oval frame embody restraint and order. This piece presents itself not merely as decoration, but as a symbol of enduring cultural values, asking us to consider how we inscribe meaning onto objects. The ring serves as a semiotic marker—a signifier of status, identity, and memory, prompting us to interpret the underlying structures of value and representation.