Jewish wedding ring, Germany, first half of the 14th century
A treasure from the long-lost Jewish communities of Europe, this exquisite and rare gold ring, one of three, was used in Jewish weddings. It takes the form of a miniature building, symbolizing the lost Temple of Jerusalem and has a band in the form of the clasped hands of the betrothed couple. Since Jewish law stipulates that wedding rings be smooth and unadorned, such opulent rings were likely used solely for the ceremony, in which remembrance of the Temple played a vital role.
Metropolitan Museum of Art / Thüringisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie (object nr. SL.4.2016.59.1)













