-Traditional Hebrew Wedding House-Box Ring In .925 Sterling Silver

Hebrew wedding house-box ring.

A vintage three-dimensional piece, crafted in solid .925/.999 sterling silver. This traditional Hebrew wedding ring was made up in the shape of a house and fitted with a secret compartment with a hinged lid and a figure 8 for safety.

Weight: 15.4 Grams, (9.87 Dwt).

Size: 8 sizeable.

Measurements: 22 mm by 17 mm (0.87 x 0.67 Inches) and raise 12 mm over the finger.

History: These unique and opulent rings featured wonderful miniature palaces, castles and temples, standing proudly in the place of a gemstone, and were often inscribed with Hebrew. The architectural symbols, which are thought to represent the marital home of the couple (and in some cases symbolised Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem), were often turned into a clasp which when opened read "Mazal Tov" (Good Luck in Hebrew). Jewish wedding rings were first documented as an official part of the wedding ceremony in 10th century, though they probably date back much further. The earliest house rings that have been discovered date to 400 years later.

In a Jewish wedding ceremony the groom symbolically acquires the bride, this is done with the ring acting in place of money “The groom should give to the bride a plain ring, with a value not less than one perutah” (the perutah was the lowest value coin in biblical times). The lack of value to the ring demonstrates that the bride is not being bought like a piece of property. Rather, the wife's acceptance of the money is a symbolic way of demonstrating her acceptance of the husband. During the wedding ceremony, the ring is placed on the woman's right hand on the index finger. An obvious reason for using the right hand is that oaths, both in Jewish and in Roman tradition, were traditionally and biblically performed with the right hand.

To this day every Jewish wedding must accommodate such an exchange. However some Jewish opinions claim that the ring should be plain and made of solid gold with no detail. This condition has led some to believe that the ornate wedding rings of medieval Europe were ceremonial engagement rings, and that another plain ring would have also been used during the wedding ceremony.

Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this house ring is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the sterling silver. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: R090622MCEJ/.4565