Signet Rings

	Signet Rings
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This linkspage provides a chronological survey of signet rings from late Antiquity to the Renaissance, including several interesting varieties of medieval signet rings. Note the variety of figures on the ring itself, including lettering (often initials, sometimes a full name), badges & imprese (see the Oxburgh Hangings article for more on the impresa) and other symbols, and a few coats of arms. (More signet rings at the Ashmolean.) Each ring is identified by its accession number and/or its name (e.g., the Raglan ring, or the signet ring of St. Louis), followed by a parenthetical note indicating the materials and/or metals of the ring, and where and when it was made; then a description of what is on the seal itself. Late Roman Signet Rings National Museums Scotland X.BI 29463 (silver alloyed with copper inset with a cornelian intaglio, found at Culbin Sands, Moray, dating to c. 100-200 AD), Silvanus, the Roman god of the countryside V&A 487-1871 (gold with an onyx intaglio, Roman empire, 100-200 AD), an ant, probably associated with the Roman goddess Ceres V&A 485-1871 (gold with engraved onyx, 3rd century) V&A 505-1871 (silver, 3rd century), circular bezel inscribed "LIBERI VIVAS" Merovingian Signet Rings Louvre OA2989 (gold, Merovingian France, 6th century), inscribed "ROSA" (also here) Louvre OA 2988 (gold, Merovingian France, 6th century) inscribed "TRASILO" (also here) Louvre OA 2990 (gold, Merovingian France, 6th century) with an inscription (also here) Louvre MAN87432, the ring of Queen Arnegonde (gold, France, c. 570) (also here, here, and here) Frankish Signet Rings Met 17.191.93 (electrum, Frankish, 7th century), monogram Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service, the Baldehildis seal ring (gold, England, late 7th century); “Both sides could be used as seals. One has an image of a woman's face surrounded by the name 'BALDEHILDIS'. The other depicts a woman and a man under a cross, possibly having sex.” V&A 629-1871 (gold, 9th century), bust of a bearded man and the words "AVF RET" Byzantine Signet Rings Met 1992.239, the signet ring of John, Imperial Spatharios (gold with niello, Byzantine, 10th century) V&A M.173-1937 (nielloed gold, 11th century), with Greek inscription translated as "Lord, help Thy servant Nicetas captain of the imperial guard" Met 18.145.42, the signet ring of Michael Zorianos (gold, Byzantine, c. 1300) Signet rings with ancient or ancient-style intaglios See The Re-Use and Copying of Ancient Intaglios set in Medieval Personal Seals, mainly found in England: An aspect of the Renaissance of the 12th Century. British Museum AF.552 (gold with jasper intaglio, Italy or England, 13th century), the intaglio engraved with bust of a man in profile wearing a pointed pendant hood, and the octagonal bezel inscribed in Lombardic lettering, "+ S'CRISTINEALMARICI" V&A 89-1899 (gold with sapphire intaglio [made in Alexandria in the 1st century BC], Europe [possibly England], c. 1275-1300), the intaglio carved with the head of a veiled lady, the oval bezel inscribed in Lombardic letters "* TECTA: LEGE: LECTA; TEGE." V&A M.290-1962 (gold with sard intaglio, England, 1275-1300 [the intaglio c. 1200-1275 from France or Italy]), the intaglio carved with a man's head in profile, and the circular bezel inscribed in Lombardic letters "* IOHANNES: EST: NOMEN: EIVS" Cl.23430, the signet ring of Guillaume de Flouri, viscount of Acre (gold with amethyst intaglio, Italy?, end of the 13th century), the intaglio with a crowned rampant lion, the oval bezel inscribed in Lombardic letters "+SGUILLAUMEDEFLOURI." For more on this ring, see A Thirteenth-century Signet Ring and its Inscriptions: Between Identity and Power, Magic and Prophylaxis in De Re Metallica: The Use Of Metal In The Middle Ages. British Museum AF.556 (gold with [late Roman] nicolo intaglio, England, early 14th century), the intaglio engraved with bust of Ceres, the oval bezel inscribed "SIGILLVM SECRETI" British Museum AF.555 (gold with glass intaglio, England, early 14th century), the intaglio carved with Venus standing by a column and holding a helmet, inscribed "SIGILUM SACRATI" British Museum AF.557 (gold with chalcedony intaglio, England, 14th century), the intaglio engraved with Nemesis with a branch and wheel, the oval bezel inscribed "SIGILL:SACRATI" British Museum AF.559 (gold, Italy, 14th century), depiction of Hebe (?), inscribed "+ MARINVS: DEIVDICE" V&A M.190-1975 (gold with 3rd century onyx intaglio, Italy, 14th century), intaglio of a lion rampant V&A M.275-1962 (gold with 3rd century red jasper intaglio, Italy, 14th century), the original intaglio with a pair of clasped hands and the initials "CCPS" and "IPD", with the additional bezel inscribed "SIGILLU. THOMASII.DE. ROGERII S.DESUESSA" Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F405 (gold with a 2nd century jasper intaglio, Italy, 16th century), the intaglio showing a lion surrounded by stars and a crescent V&A 968-1871 (nielloed silver with carnelian intaglio, Italy, c. 1600), intaglio with Hercules at rest Signet rings with initials (including monograms) While initials are present on several different styles of signet rings, in this category, they are the dominant part of the design. British Museum AF.271 (gold, Byzantine, late 14th century), octagonal bezel with a cruciform monogram UKDFD 3935 (copper alloy, found in Worcestershire, c. 15th century), Lombardic letter 'H' UKDFD 2170 (silver, found in Lincolnshire, c. 15th century), rectangular bezel with the letter 'I' and a sprig on each side British Museum AF.765 (silver, England, 15th century), a crowned Lombardic letter 'T' V&A 1374-1903 (silver, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a crowned 'I' flanked by two branches British Museum AF.649 (gilded silver, England, late 15th century), oblong bezel with crowned monogram within octagonal pearled border V&A 781-1871 (silver, Germany, 15th century), circular bezel with blackletter initials 'LR' British Museum 1836,0901.99 (bronze, 15th century), oblong bezel with the letter 'R' V&A M.256-1962 (silver, England, 1450-1550), circular bezel with the initial 'W' between two palms British Museum AF.768 (bronze gilt, England, 15th-16th century), an oval bezel with a crowned letter 'R' within a wreathed hoop UKDFD 3892 (silver, found in Worcestershire, 15th-16th century), engraved with the initials 'W P' V&A M.260-1962 (silver, England, late 15th or early 16th century), octagonal bezel with the letters 'r' and 'g' at right angles in blackletter British Museum AF.779 (enamelled gold, England [found at Abergavenny], early 16th century), circular bezel with the letter 'R' surrounded by tracery border and cabled border British Museum AF.776 (bronze gilt, England [found at Pensford], early 16th century), oval bezel with monogram within cabled border V&A 776-1871 (silver, Germany?, 1500-1550), rectangular bezel with monogram 'IS' V&A 772-1871 (silver, western Europe, 16th century), a crowned 'W' INITIALS WITH KNOTS It’s unclear whether these knots are meant to be true-love knots or heraldic knots. Nevertheless, the knot symbol appears with some regularity with a pair of initials in signet rings, as demonstrated in this group. Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F597 (gold, England?, 16th century), oval bezel with the letters 'HS' in a Bowen or heraldic knot [or true-love knot?] V&A 841-1871, the so-called Darnley ring (gold, Scotland, 16th century), the initials 'M' and 'H' and a true-love knot V&A 838-1871 (silver [formerly gilt], England?, 1550-1600), oval bezel with the initials 'I' and 'S' bound with a true-love knot Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F598 (gold, England, second half of 16th century), the letters 'E D' with scrolls and a knot Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F599 (gold, England, second half of 16th century), the letters 'W P' with a knot Derby Museums (gold, late 16th or early 17th centuries), engraved with the initials 'WW', an interlaced knot, and a beaded border V&A M.230-1975 (gold, England, 1600-1650), with the initials 'S' and 'G' bound with a true-love knot and inscribed "ELIZABET EDOLFF" V&A M.227-1975 (gold, England, 16th century), three flowers between the letters 'R' and 'S' V&A M.221-1975 (gold, western Europe, 1550-1600), an oval bezel with a hand holding a sunflower between the letters 'T' and 'S' within a pearled border Signet rings with merchants' marks British Museum OA.7460 (bronze with traces of gilding, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with shield bearing merchant's mark British Museum AF.657 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with merchant's mark within toothed border British Museum 1865,1203.58 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark and 'HC' monogram British Museum SLSeals.95 (bronze, England, 16th century), circular bezel with merchant's mark British Museum 1865,0324.30 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark British Museum 1852,0522.9 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark and 'II' monogram British Museum 1865,0408.42 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark and 'RS' monogram Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F600 (gold, England, 16th century), a merchant's mark and the initals DF British Museum 1872,0604.391 (silver, Germany, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark within shield, and 'MM' monogram A Renaissance merchant's ring from Germany; circular bezel with a merchant's mark Signet rings with badges, imprese, and other assorted symbols British Museum AF.763 (bronze, England, 15th century), oval bezel engraved with chalice standing on flat rectangular object British Museum AF.697 (silver, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with stag within cabled border, incribed "Henricus Souch" British Museum AF.644 (gold, England, 15th century); the central section of the bezel is hinged on a pivot to the hoop, so it provides two different impressions. The rectangular bezel is engraved on one side with a key and a bell, and on the other the Vernicle V&A M.205-1975 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a falcon in a fetterlock V&A M.251-1962 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a bird and inscribed in blackletter "thomas atherton" British Museum 1871,0302.3 (gold, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a rose with issuing rays V&A 701-1871 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a heraldic rose, later scored with a cross V&A 903-1871 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a cradle National Museums & Galleries of Wales 2002.22H, the Raglan ring (found near Raglan in Monmouthshire, Wales; gold, c. 1440-1475), a lion passant on a bed of flowers (impression) British Museum 1967,1208.4 from the Fishpool hoard (gold, England, c. 1464), circular bezel engraved with a device of a hawk's lure with the wings bound with cords, above with a fleur-de-lis flanking the letter 't', flowers on each side V&A M.216-1975 (gold, England, 1450-1600), circular bezel with a triskele British Museum AF.771 (gold, England [found at the battlefield at Towton], late 15th century), circular bezel with a lion passant regardant and a scroll with the motto "NOW:YS:THUS" in blackletter V&A M.215-1975 (gold with traces of black enamel, c. 1480-1600), a hand holding five flowers and the blackletter inscription "iohn: devereux" British Museum AF.698 (bronze, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel engraved with hammer between two stars, surmounted by palm-branch; inscribed "GUILLE MACON" V&A 143-1907 (silver, France?, 15th century), an oval bezel with a couchant hound and blackletter inscription "iame s'geein" Cl.17705, fleur-de-lys and initials V&A M.200-1975 (gold, France?, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a sleeping dog and inscribed in blackletter "muet" V&A M.258-1962 (silver, Germany? c. 1475-1525), oval bezel with an open pair of shears with an inscription or initials around the shears; “The open shears engraved upon the bezel of this signet ring indicate that it belonged to a member of a tailor's guild. The tools of craftsmen were often engraved upon seal matrices and signet rings to indicate membership of the guild and thus to confer status upon the wearer. A large group of similar rings from Germany and central Europe have been found, most of which are silver or bronze, and which bear the emblems of a number of different trades.” V&A M.259-1962 (silver, England, early 16th century), circular bezel with a bird and sexfoil and the letter 'S' V&A 694-1871 (gold, western Europe, 1500-1550), hexagonal bezel with an eagle displayed British Museum 1865,0408.47 (bronze, 16th century), octagonal bezel with pelican in piety V&A 792-1871 (gold, England, 1500-1550), octagonal bezel with pelican in its piety British Museum AF.780 (enamelled gold, England [found at Windsor], early 16th century), circular bezel depicting bowman with hound within cabled border British Museum AF.825 (gold, found in Lincoln, 16th century), circular bezel with lion rampant and star V&A 795-1871 (gold, England, 16th century), a hound on a leash, couchant beneath a tree, with the initials 'IL' in Lombardic lettering Portable Antiquities Scheme PAS-345404 (gold, found at Wigginton, mid-16th century), a circular bezel with a wolf's head and neck couped, and the initials 'E' and 'F' British Museum SLSeals.122 (bronze, England, 16th century), circular bezel with rampant lion within pearled border V&A M.226-1975 (gold, England, 16th century), octagonal bezel with a ship in full sail East Carolina University 1061.1 (gold, England?), oval bezel with a lion, attributed to the Kendall family; may date to the 16th century and have belonged to a member of the Roanoke Colony of 1585-1586 (excavated at Buxton, North Carolina) V&A 793-1871 (gold, western Europe, 1550-1600), oval bezel with a lion rampant and the initials 'AH' Christie's Sale 5647/Lot 8 (gold, c. 1600), an oval bezel with a fleur-de-lys Signet rings with coats of arms (including armorial shields and heraldic achievements) V&A 805-1871) (silver, western Europe, 14th century), a coat of arms and inscription in Lombardic lettering “MORTUUS. FUERAM. A.REVIT/+PERIERAM ET INVENTUS SUM" V&A M.277-1962 (gold, possibly Spain or Italy, early 14th century), a coat of arms and inscription in Lombardic letters, "+ S:MENTO:SASO." British Museum 1872,0604.377 (gold, Italy, 14th century), a paly shield of arms and the inscription "VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST E/T ABITABIT IN NOBIS IhOANES." British Museum AF.568 (gold, in the form of a bow-ring, Venice, 14th century), octagonal bezel engraved in intaglio with shield of arms (per bend, column and three bends, surmounted by crest and helm with mantling); includes inscription, "S(IGNUM) DE ZENO DONAT(I)" Christie's Sale 8754/Lot 55 (gold, Italy [probably Venice], 14th century), elongated rectangular bezel with shield charged with a septafoil within Lombardic inscription "SIGILLUM. OBERTI. D'SOLARI" British Museum 1982,0501.1 (gold with rubies set in the shoulders, France, late 14th century), on a sexfoil-shaped bezel, the arms of de Grailly for Jehan de Grailly, Captal de Buch (?) And anoon the same kyng ioynyd and addyd to the fforsey[d] renouncyng and levyng off, opynly by worde, that yff it were in his powere the Duk off Lancastre shulde be his Successour, and kyng affter hym. But ffor yt ys not in his power, he ordeyned the Erchebysshop off Yorke, and the Bisshop off Hereford to ben his proctours, to Declare and opynly shewe to all the States off the Rewme his Renounsyng, and yeldyng vp off his dygnyte, as hit ys seyde byfore. And prayd hem that they shulde shewe his entent and wille in this partye to alle the peple; and in tokyn off this wille and entent opynly he toke off his ffyngir a Ryng off golde, his Signet, and putt hit on the ffynger off the Duk off Lancastre, desiryng that to be knowyn to all the States; the which thing whan it was done euery man tooke his leve and wentyn hem home. Chronicles of London, Jul B.2, 1399 V&A M.253-1962 (silver, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with the arms of a knight of St. John of Jerusalem and inscribed in Lombardic letters "+ H. IO. DIA. BEIE." V&A M.264-1962 (silver, England, late 15th century), lozenge-shaped bezel with the Lovell arms British Museum AF.613 (gold, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel on molded base engraved with shield bearing arms of South (?): two bars in chief a mullet, tree, field filled with Gothic tracery Louvre D 744 (enamelled gilt-copper, 15th century); coat of arms (also here) British Museum 1847,0903.1 (bronze, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel engraved with shield of arms: couped and collared greyhound's head; star on shoulder to indicate top of seal; inscribed "GUILLE DE BERY" V&A 142-1907 (silver, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a coat of arms and inscribed in blackletter "iuhanis de lasu" V&A M.181-1937 (gold, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel with the arms of Jouanniere (Bretagne) and inscribed in blackletter "qant. qe. soit." Cl.2886 (gold, France, 15th century), a shield with a fish, surrounded with an inscription and a star Louvre MRR 229 (gold with a sapphire, France, 15th century), the arms of Lusignan (also here) V&A M.471-1936 (nielloed silver, Hungary, 15th century), a coat of arms and a blackletter inscription Cl.7902 (gold, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a heraldic shield with a cross and initials (another view) V&A M.179-1937 (gold, Italy, 15th century), circular bezel with a coat of arms and inscribed "MARIA/ N /VS.MR." V&A M.276-1962 (gold, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a coat of arms and inscribed in Lombardic lettering "PETRUS.. NOVARINO.." V&A 804-1871 (gold, western Europe, 15th century), circular bezel with unidentified arms and inscribed in blackletter "iohanni loupsht" V&A 702-1871 (gold, England, 1500-1550), hexagonal bezel with the arms of Lounsdon of Suffolk or Scot of Camberwell, and inscribed in blackletter "ivo" British Museum 1865,1203.62 (silver, Germany, 16th century), oval bezel with a shield of arms: pentacle, star in chief, three mounts in base, helmet, wing crest charged with star; 'EW' monogram British Museum 1872,0604.387 (silver, Italy, 16th century), oval bezel with heraldry: three stars on fess, beast in base, indeterminate charge in chief V&A 790-1871 (gilt bronze, Italy, 16th century), an oval bezel with a coat of arms with a boar's head V&A M.180-1937 (gold, western Europe, 16th century), circular bezel with a coat of arms with a crested helmet and the initials 'M' and 'P' British Museum 1856,1015.1 (gold with enamel and chalcedony intaglio, France?, c. 1548-1558), achievement of Mary Queen of Scots: shield of Scotland surrounded by collar of thistle, supported by two unicorns; crest: crowned lion sejant affronté holding sword; dexter: banner with arms of Scotland; sinister: flag with three bars over saltire V&A 806-1871 (gold, Italy, 1550-1575), circular bezel with the arms of Contarini V&A M.249-1928, The Lee Ring (enamelled gold with reverse-painted silvered & gilt chalcedony intaglio, England, 1554-1575), oval intaglio with the arms of Sir Richard Lee V&A 807-1871 (gold, England, 1580-1600), oval bezel with the arms of Baker UKDFD 1503 (gold, found in Bedfordshire, late 16th to early 17th century), a coat of arms (per pale argent and or a griffin segreant countercharged) with crest and mantling V&A 717-1871 (silver, Germany, 16th or 17th century), circular bezel with the arms of Pietrorch under the initials 'PP' Germanisches Nationalmuseum T 5341 (silver-gilt, Nuremburg, 1605), the heraldry of the Starck and Tucher families Germanisches Nationalmuseum T 5988, the signet ring of Wolf Christoph von Bendeleben (Germany, first half of the 17th century), initials 'WVB' and a shield of arms V&A LOAN:GILBERT.23-2008 (gold, London, 1600-1650), the arms of Sir John Leman As-yet uncategorized signet rings Louvre MR 92, the signet ring of St. Louis (enamelled gold with a sapphire, 14th century); more views here, here, here, and here; a figure of Christ Louvre OA 9597, the signet ring of the Black Prince (enamelled gold and a ruby, c. 1333-1366); ruby carved with a head, and an inscription all the way around the ruby V&A M.554-1910 (gold with a purple spinel intaglio and traces of enamel, England, 15th century [the intaglio is 14th century French]), the intaglio has a crowned head, the surrounding bezel is inscribed "tel il nest" in blackletter Portable Antiquities Scheme LANCUM-60CE12 (copper-alloy, found at Urswick in Cumbria, possibly 15th century) V&A 779-1871 (silver, Germany, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a Tau cross and two stars V&A 602-1871 (silver, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel with the Agnus Dei and the letter 'G' V&A 833-1871 (nielloed silver, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel inscribed in Lombardic lettering "+CATARINA NICOLA" surrounding a pair of stars Gold signet ring, Italy, 15th century (another view) V&A M.339-1975 (brass, England, mid 15th century), octagonal bezel with a cross and crescent moon (or initials IP) V&A M.9-1929 (silver, western Europe, late 15th century), hexagonal bezel with a chalice and wafer between the initials 'f' and 'c' V&A M.341-1975 (brass [formerly gilt], Italy, late 15th century), octagonal bezel with initials 'NS' over an ecranche V&A 794-1871 (gold, England, 1500-1550), circular bezel with a rebus: a tree (perhaps an elm) between the letters "wy" and "mot" with "r" below (possibly for R. Wylmot) V&A 754-1871 (silver, western Europe, 1500-1550), rebus with the letter U V&A 737-1871 (gold with reverse-painted rock crystal intaglio, Germany, 1550-1600), a man's head in a helmet V&A 736-1871 (gold with reverse-painted rock crystal intaglio, Germany, c. 1572), oval bezel with a shield bearing clasped hands with forget-me-nots and the initials 'VMN' (presumably for Vergiss mein nicht, 'forget me not'; see Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F516) V&A M.218-1975 (enamelled gold with bloodstone intaglio, possibly Italy or Germany, c. 1580), the intaglio carved with the head of St. John the Baptist set in a footed cup; the bezel opens to reveal inside a compass and dial with an enamelled cover V&A 738-1871 (gold, England, 1600-1650), oval bezel with a hand between the initials 'A' and 'R' Portraits and other artwork with signet rings Design for an ornament or signet ring with the arms of Lazarus Spengler by Albrecht Dürer, 1516 Peter Gillis by Quentin Massys, 1517 Man with a Glove by Titian, c. 1520-1522 Hans Melber by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 Portrait of a man with a moor's head on his signet ring by Conrad Faber von Creuznach Elector John the Steadfast of Saxony by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 Family Portrait by Maerten van Heemskerck, c. 1530 Suppliants in the office of two tax collectors, workshop of Quentin Massys. Several in this genre show what appears to be signet rings; see also The Tax Collectors Gerhard von Westerburg by Barthel Bruyn I, 1524 Georg Gisze by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1532 A young man with a lute, c. 1540-1560 Andreas (?) Boulengier, 16th century; the ring resembles the reverse-painted rock crystal styles shown above Wax portrait of a man, possibly Garcia de Medicis, mid-15th century Sir John Hawkins, 1581; notice signet ring hanging around his neck

Rings: Symbols of Wealth, Power and Affection

Toward an Art History of Medieval Rings: A Private Collection

Finger Rings: Ancient to Modern (Ashmolean Handbooks)

This linkspage provides a chronological survey of signet rings from late Antiquity to the Renaissance, including several interesting varieties of medieval signet rings. Note the variety of figures on the ring itself, including lettering (often initials, sometimes a full name), badges & imprese (see the Oxburgh Hangings article for more on the impresa) and other symbols, and a few coats of arms.

(More signet rings at the Ashmolean.)

Each ring is identified by its accession number and/or its name (e.g., the Raglan ring, or the signet ring of St. Louis), followed by a parenthetical note indicating the materials and/or metals of the ring, and where and when it was made; then a description of what is on the seal itself.

Late Roman Signet Rings

National Museums Scotland X.BI 29463 (silver alloyed with copper inset with a cornelian intaglio, found at Culbin Sands, Moray, dating to c. 100-200 AD), Silvanus, the Roman god of the countryside
V&A 487-1871 (gold with an onyx intaglio, Roman empire, 100-200 AD), an ant, probably associated with the Roman goddess Ceres
V&A 485-1871 (gold with engraved onyx, 3rd century)
V&A 505-1871 (silver, 3rd century), circular bezel inscribed "LIBERI VIVAS"

Merovingian Signet Rings

Louvre OA2989 (gold, Merovingian France, 6th century), inscribed "ROSA" (also here)
Louvre OA 2988 (gold, Merovingian France, 6th century) inscribed "TRASILO" (also here)
Louvre OA 2990 (gold, Merovingian France, 6th century) with an inscription (also here)
Louvre MAN87432, the ring of Queen Arnegonde (gold, France, c. 570) (also here, here, and here)

Frankish Signet Rings

Met 17.191.93 (electrum, Frankish, 7th century), monogram
Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service, the Baldehildis seal ring (gold, England, late 7th century); “Both sides could be used as seals. One has an image of a woman's face surrounded by the name 'BALDEHILDIS'. The other depicts a woman and a man under a cross, possibly having sex.”
V&A 629-1871 (gold, 9th century), bust of a bearded man and the words "AVF RET"

Byzantine Signet Rings

Met 1992.239, the signet ring of John, Imperial Spatharios (gold with niello, Byzantine, 10th century)
V&A M.173-1937 (nielloed gold, 11th century), with Greek inscription translated as "Lord, help Thy servant Nicetas captain of the imperial guard"
Met 18.145.42, the signet ring of Michael Zorianos (gold, Byzantine, c. 1300)

Signet rings with ancient or ancient-style intaglios

See The Re-Use and Copying of Ancient Intaglios set in Medieval Personal Seals, mainly found in England: An aspect of the Renaissance of the 12th Century.

British Museum AF.552 (gold with jasper intaglio, Italy or England, 13th century), the intaglio engraved with bust of a man in profile wearing a pointed pendant hood, and the octagonal bezel inscribed in Lombardic lettering, "+ S'CRISTINEALMARICI"
V&A 89-1899 (gold with sapphire intaglio [made in Alexandria in the 1st century BC], Europe [possibly England], c. 1275-1300), the intaglio carved with the head of a veiled lady, the oval bezel inscribed in Lombardic letters "* TECTA: LEGE: LECTA; TEGE."
V&A M.290-1962 (gold with sard intaglio, England, 1275-1300 [the intaglio c. 1200-1275 from France or Italy]), the intaglio carved with a man's head in profile, and the circular bezel inscribed in Lombardic letters "* IOHANNES: EST: NOMEN: EIVS"
Cl.23430, the signet ring of Guillaume de Flouri, viscount of Acre (gold with amethyst intaglio, Italy?, end of the 13th century), the intaglio with a crowned rampant lion, the oval bezel inscribed in Lombardic letters "+SGUILLAUMEDEFLOURI." For more on this ring, see A Thirteenth-century Signet Ring and its Inscriptions: Between Identity and Power, Magic and Prophylaxis in De Re Metallica: The Use Of Metal In The Middle Ages.
British Museum AF.556 (gold with [late Roman] nicolo intaglio, England, early 14th century), the intaglio engraved with bust of Ceres, the oval bezel inscribed "SIGILLVM SECRETI"
British Museum AF.555 (gold with glass intaglio, England, early 14th century), the intaglio carved with Venus standing by a column and holding a helmet, inscribed "SIGILUM SACRATI"
British Museum AF.557 (gold with chalcedony intaglio, England, 14th century), the intaglio engraved with Nemesis with a branch and wheel, the oval bezel inscribed "SIGILL:SACRATI"
British Museum AF.559 (gold, Italy, 14th century), depiction of Hebe (?), inscribed "+ MARINVS: DEIVDICE"
V&A M.190-1975 (gold with 3rd century onyx intaglio, Italy, 14th century), intaglio of a lion rampant
V&A M.275-1962 (gold with 3rd century red jasper intaglio, Italy, 14th century), the original intaglio with a pair of clasped hands and the initials "CCPS" and "IPD", with the additional bezel inscribed "SIGILLU. THOMASII.DE. ROGERII S.DESUESSA"
Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F405 (gold with a 2nd century jasper intaglio, Italy, 16th century), the intaglio showing a lion surrounded by stars and a crescent
V&A 968-1871 (nielloed silver with carnelian intaglio, Italy, c. 1600), intaglio with Hercules at rest

Signet rings with initials (including monograms)

While initials are present on several different styles of signet rings, in this category, they are the dominant part of the design.

British Museum AF.271 (gold, Byzantine, late 14th century), octagonal bezel with a cruciform monogram
UKDFD 3935 (copper alloy, found in Worcestershire, c. 15th century), Lombardic letter 'H'
UKDFD 2170 (silver, found in Lincolnshire, c. 15th century), rectangular bezel with the letter 'I' and a sprig on each side
British Museum AF.765 (silver, England, 15th century), a crowned Lombardic letter 'T'
V&A 1374-1903 (silver, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a crowned 'I' flanked by two branches
British Museum AF.649 (gilded silver, England, late 15th century), oblong bezel with crowned monogram within octagonal pearled border
V&A 781-1871 (silver, Germany, 15th century), circular bezel with blackletter initials 'LR'
British Museum 1836,0901.99 (bronze, 15th century), oblong bezel with the letter 'R'
V&A M.256-1962 (silver, England, 1450-1550), circular bezel with the initial 'W' between two palms
British Museum AF.768 (bronze gilt, England, 15th-16th century), an oval bezel with a crowned letter 'R' within a wreathed hoop
UKDFD 3892 (silver, found in Worcestershire, 15th-16th century), engraved with the initials 'W P'
V&A M.260-1962 (silver, England, late 15th or early 16th century), octagonal bezel with the letters 'r' and 'g' at right angles in blackletter
British Museum AF.779 (enamelled gold, England [found at Abergavenny], early 16th century), circular bezel with the letter 'R' surrounded by tracery border and cabled border
British Museum AF.776 (bronze gilt, England [found at Pensford], early 16th century), oval bezel with monogram within cabled border
V&A 776-1871 (silver, Germany?, 1500-1550), rectangular bezel with monogram 'IS'
V&A 772-1871 (silver, western Europe, 16th century), a crowned 'W'

INITIALS WITH KNOTS

It’s unclear whether these knots are meant to be true-love knots or heraldic knots. Nevertheless, the knot symbol appears with some regularity with a pair of initials in signet rings, as demonstrated in this group.

Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F597 (gold, England?, 16th century), oval bezel with the letters 'HS' in a Bowen or heraldic knot [or true-love knot?]
V&A 841-1871, the so-called Darnley ring (gold, Scotland, 16th century), the initials 'M' and 'H' and a true-love knot
V&A 838-1871 (silver [formerly gilt], England?, 1550-1600), oval bezel with the initials 'I' and 'S' bound with a true-love knot
Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F598 (gold, England, second half of 16th century), the letters 'E D' with scrolls and a knot
Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F599 (gold, England, second half of 16th century), the letters 'W P' with a knot
Derby Museums (gold, late 16th or early 17th centuries), engraved with the initials 'WW', an interlaced knot, and a beaded border
V&A M.230-1975 (gold, England, 1600-1650), with the initials 'S' and 'G' bound with a true-love knot and inscribed "ELIZABET EDOLFF"

V&A M.227-1975 (gold, England, 16th century), three flowers between the letters 'R' and 'S'
V&A M.221-1975 (gold, western Europe, 1550-1600), an oval bezel with a hand holding a sunflower between the letters 'T' and 'S' within a pearled border

Signet rings with merchants' marks

British Museum OA.7460 (bronze with traces of gilding, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with shield bearing merchant's mark
British Museum AF.657 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with merchant's mark within toothed border

British Museum 1865,1203.58 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark and 'HC' monogram
British Museum SLSeals.95 (bronze, England, 16th century), circular bezel with merchant's mark
British Museum 1865,0324.30 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark
British Museum 1852,0522.9 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark and 'II' monogram
British Museum 1865,0408.42 (bronze, England, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark and 'RS' monogram
Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F600 (gold, England, 16th century), a merchant's mark and the initals DF
British Museum 1872,0604.391 (silver, Germany, 16th century), oval bezel with merchant's mark within shield, and 'MM' monogram
A Renaissance merchant's ring from Germany; circular bezel with a merchant's mark

Signet rings with badges, imprese, and other assorted symbols

British Museum AF.763 (bronze, England, 15th century), oval bezel engraved with chalice standing on flat rectangular object
British Museum AF.697 (silver, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with stag within cabled border, incribed "Henricus Souch"
British Museum AF.644 (gold, England, 15th century); the central section of the bezel is hinged on a pivot to the hoop, so it provides two different impressions. The rectangular bezel is engraved on one side with a key and a bell, and on the other the Vernicle
V&A M.205-1975 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a falcon in a fetterlock
V&A M.251-1962 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a bird and inscribed in blackletter "thomas atherton"
British Museum 1871,0302.3 (gold, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a rose with issuing rays
V&A 701-1871 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a heraldic rose, later scored with a cross
V&A 903-1871 (gold, England, 15th century), circular bezel with a cradle
National Museums & Galleries of Wales 2002.22H, the Raglan ring (found near Raglan in Monmouthshire, Wales; gold, c. 1440-1475), a lion passant on a bed of flowers (impression)
British Museum 1967,1208.4 from the Fishpool hoard (gold, England, c. 1464), circular bezel engraved with a device of a hawk's lure with the wings bound with cords, above with a fleur-de-lis flanking the letter 't', flowers on each side
V&A M.216-1975 (gold, England, 1450-1600), circular bezel with a triskele
British Museum AF.771 (gold, England [found at the battlefield at Towton], late 15th century), circular bezel with a lion passant regardant and a scroll with the motto "NOW:YS:THUS" in blackletter
V&A M.215-1975 (gold with traces of black enamel, c. 1480-1600), a hand holding five flowers and the blackletter inscription "iohn: devereux"
British Museum AF.698 (bronze, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel engraved with hammer between two stars, surmounted by palm-branch; inscribed "GUILLE MACON"
V&A 143-1907 (silver, France?, 15th century), an oval bezel with a couchant hound and blackletter inscription "iame s'geein"
Cl.17705, fleur-de-lys and initials
V&A M.200-1975 (gold, France?, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a sleeping dog and inscribed in blackletter "muet"
V&A M.258-1962 (silver, Germany? c. 1475-1525), oval bezel with an open pair of shears with an inscription or initials around the shears; “The open shears engraved upon the bezel of this signet ring indicate that it belonged to a member of a tailor's guild. The tools of craftsmen were often engraved upon seal matrices and signet rings to indicate membership of the guild and thus to confer status upon the wearer. A large group of similar rings from Germany and central Europe have been found, most of which are silver or bronze, and which bear the emblems of a number of different trades.”
V&A M.259-1962 (silver, England, early 16th century), circular bezel with a bird and sexfoil and the letter 'S'
V&A 694-1871 (gold, western Europe, 1500-1550), hexagonal bezel with an eagle displayed
British Museum 1865,0408.47 (bronze, 16th century), octagonal bezel with pelican in piety
V&A 792-1871 (gold, England, 1500-1550), octagonal bezel with pelican in its piety
British Museum AF.780 (enamelled gold, England [found at Windsor], early 16th century), circular bezel depicting bowman with hound within cabled border
British Museum AF.825 (gold, found in Lincoln, 16th century), circular bezel with lion rampant and star
V&A 795-1871 (gold, England, 16th century), a hound on a leash, couchant beneath a tree, with the initials 'IL' in Lombardic lettering
Portable Antiquities Scheme PAS-345404 (gold, found at Wigginton, mid-16th century), a circular bezel with a wolf's head and neck couped, and the initials 'E' and 'F'
British Museum SLSeals.122 (bronze, England, 16th century), circular bezel with rampant lion within pearled border
V&A M.226-1975 (gold, England, 16th century), octagonal bezel with a ship in full sail
East Carolina University 1061.1 (gold, England?), oval bezel with a lion, attributed to the Kendall family; may date to the 16th century and have belonged to a member of the Roanoke Colony of 1585-1586 (excavated at Buxton, North Carolina)
V&A 793-1871 (gold, western Europe, 1550-1600), oval bezel with a lion rampant and the initials 'AH'
Christie's Sale 5647/Lot 8 (gold, c. 1600), an oval bezel with a fleur-de-lys

Signet rings with coats of arms (including armorial shields and heraldic achievements)

V&A 805-1871) (silver, western Europe, 14th century), a coat of arms and inscription in Lombardic lettering “MORTUUS. FUERAM. A.REVIT/+PERIERAM ET INVENTUS SUM"
V&A M.277-1962 (gold, possibly Spain or Italy, early 14th century), a coat of arms and inscription in Lombardic letters, "+ S:MENTO:SASO."
British Museum 1872,0604.377 (gold, Italy, 14th century), a paly shield of arms and the inscription "VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST E/T ABITABIT IN NOBIS IhOANES."
British Museum AF.568 (gold, in the form of a bow-ring, Venice, 14th century), octagonal bezel engraved in intaglio with shield of arms (per bend, column and three bends, surmounted by crest and helm with mantling); includes inscription, "S(IGNUM) DE ZENO DONAT(I)"
Christie's Sale 8754/Lot 55 (gold, Italy [probably Venice], 14th century), elongated rectangular bezel with shield charged with a septafoil within Lombardic inscription "SIGILLUM. OBERTI. D'SOLARI"
British Museum 1982,0501.1 (gold with rubies set in the shoulders, France, late 14th century), on a sexfoil-shaped bezel, the arms of de Grailly for Jehan de Grailly, Captal de Buch (?)

And anoon the same kyng ioynyd and addyd to the fforsey[d] renouncyng and levyng off, opynly by worde, that yff it were in his powere the Duk off Lancastre shulde be his Successour, and kyng affter hym. But ffor yt ys not in his power, he ordeyned the Erchebysshop off Yorke, and the Bisshop off Hereford to ben his proctours, to Declare and opynly shewe to all the States off the Rewme his Renounsyng, and yeldyng vp off his dygnyte, as hit ys seyde byfore. And prayd hem that they shulde shewe his entent and wille in this partye to alle the peple; and in tokyn off this wille and entent opynly he toke off his ffyngir a Ryng off golde, his Signet, and putt hit on the ffynger off the Duk off Lancastre, desiryng that to be knowyn to all the States; the which thing whan it was done euery man tooke his leve and wentyn hem home.

Chronicles of London, Jul B.2, 1399

V&A M.253-1962 (silver, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel with the arms of a knight of St. John of Jerusalem and inscribed in Lombardic letters "+ H. IO. DIA. BEIE."
V&A M.264-1962 (silver, England, late 15th century), lozenge-shaped bezel with the Lovell arms
British Museum AF.613 (gold, England, 15th century), octagonal bezel on molded base engraved with shield bearing arms of South (?): two bars in chief a mullet, tree, field filled with Gothic tracery
Louvre D 744 (enamelled gilt-copper, 15th century); coat of arms (also here)
British Museum 1847,0903.1 (bronze, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel engraved with shield of arms: couped and collared greyhound's head; star on shoulder to indicate top of seal; inscribed "GUILLE DE BERY"
V&A 142-1907 (silver, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a coat of arms and inscribed in blackletter "iuhanis de lasu"
V&A M.181-1937 (gold, France, 15th century), octagonal bezel with the arms of Jouanniere (Bretagne) and inscribed in blackletter "qant. qe. soit."
Cl.2886 (gold, France, 15th century), a shield with a fish, surrounded with an inscription and a star
Louvre MRR 229 (gold with a sapphire, France, 15th century), the arms of Lusignan (also here)
V&A M.471-1936 (nielloed silver, Hungary, 15th century), a coat of arms and a blackletter inscription
Cl.7902 (gold, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a heraldic shield with a cross and initials (another view)
V&A M.179-1937 (gold, Italy, 15th century), circular bezel with a coat of arms and inscribed "MARIA/ N /VS.MR."
V&A M.276-1962 (gold, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a coat of arms and inscribed in Lombardic lettering "PETRUS.. NOVARINO.."
V&A 804-1871 (gold, western Europe, 15th century), circular bezel with unidentified arms and inscribed in blackletter "iohanni loupsht"
V&A 702-1871 (gold, England, 1500-1550), hexagonal bezel with the arms of Lounsdon of Suffolk or Scot of Camberwell, and inscribed in blackletter "ivo"
British Museum 1865,1203.62 (silver, Germany, 16th century), oval bezel with a shield of arms: pentacle, star in chief, three mounts in base, helmet, wing crest charged with star; 'EW' monogram
British Museum 1872,0604.387 (silver, Italy, 16th century), oval bezel with heraldry: three stars on fess, beast in base, indeterminate charge in chief
V&A 790-1871 (gilt bronze, Italy, 16th century), an oval bezel with a coat of arms with a boar's head
V&A M.180-1937 (gold, western Europe, 16th century), circular bezel with a coat of arms with a crested helmet and the initials 'M' and 'P'
British Museum 1856,1015.1 (gold with enamel and chalcedony intaglio, France?, c. 1548-1558), achievement of Mary Queen of Scots: shield of Scotland surrounded by collar of thistle, supported by two unicorns; crest: crowned lion sejant affronté holding sword; dexter: banner with arms of Scotland; sinister: flag with three bars over saltire
V&A 806-1871 (gold, Italy, 1550-1575), circular bezel with the arms of Contarini
V&A M.249-1928, The Lee Ring (enamelled gold with reverse-painted silvered & gilt chalcedony intaglio, England, 1554-1575), oval intaglio with the arms of Sir Richard Lee
V&A 807-1871 (gold, England, 1580-1600), oval bezel with the arms of Baker
UKDFD 1503 (gold, found in Bedfordshire, late 16th to early 17th century), a coat of arms (per pale argent and or a griffin segreant countercharged) with crest and mantling
V&A 717-1871 (silver, Germany, 16th or 17th century), circular bezel with the arms of Pietrorch under the initials 'PP'
Germanisches Nationalmuseum T 5341 (silver-gilt, Nuremburg, 1605), the heraldry of the Starck and Tucher families
Germanisches Nationalmuseum T 5988, the signet ring of Wolf Christoph von Bendeleben (Germany, first half of the 17th century), initials 'WVB' and a shield of arms
V&A LOAN:GILBERT.23-2008 (gold, London, 1600-1650), the arms of Sir John Leman

As-yet uncategorized signet rings

Louvre MR 92, the signet ring of St. Louis (enamelled gold with a sapphire, 14th century); more views here, here, here, and here; a figure of Christ
Louvre OA 9597, the signet ring of the Black Prince (enamelled gold and a ruby, c. 1333-1366); ruby carved with a head, and an inscription all the way around the ruby
V&A M.554-1910 (gold with a purple spinel intaglio and traces of enamel, England, 15th century [the intaglio is 14th century French]), the intaglio has a crowned head, the surrounding bezel is inscribed "tel il nest" in blackletter
Portable Antiquities Scheme LANCUM-60CE12 (copper-alloy, found at Urswick in Cumbria, possibly 15th century)
V&A 779-1871 (silver, Germany, 15th century), octagonal bezel with a Tau cross and two stars
V&A 602-1871 (silver, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel with the Agnus Dei and the letter 'G'
V&A 833-1871 (nielloed silver, Italy, 15th century), octagonal bezel inscribed in Lombardic lettering "+CATARINA NICOLA" surrounding a pair of stars
Gold signet ring, Italy, 15th century (another view)
V&A M.339-1975 (brass, England, mid 15th century), octagonal bezel with a cross and crescent moon (or initials IP)
V&A M.9-1929 (silver, western Europe, late 15th century), hexagonal bezel with a chalice and wafer between the initials 'f' and 'c'
V&A M.341-1975 (brass [formerly gilt], Italy, late 15th century), octagonal bezel with initials 'NS' over an ecranche
V&A 794-1871 (gold, England, 1500-1550), circular bezel with a rebus: a tree (perhaps an elm) between the letters "wy" and "mot" with "r" below (possibly for R. Wylmot)
V&A 754-1871 (silver, western Europe, 1500-1550), rebus with the letter U
V&A 737-1871 (gold with reverse-painted rock crystal intaglio, Germany, 1550-1600), a man's head in a helmet
V&A 736-1871 (gold with reverse-painted rock crystal intaglio, Germany, c. 1572), oval bezel with a shield bearing clasped hands with forget-me-nots and the initials 'VMN' (presumably for Vergiss mein nicht, 'forget me not'; see Ashmolean WA1899.CDEF.F516)
V&A M.218-1975 (enamelled gold with bloodstone intaglio, possibly Italy or Germany, c. 1580), the intaglio carved with the head of St. John the Baptist set in a footed cup; the bezel opens to reveal inside a compass and dial with an enamelled cover
V&A 738-1871 (gold, England, 1600-1650), oval bezel with a hand between the initials 'A' and 'R'

Portraits and other artwork with signet rings

Design for an ornament or signet ring with the arms of Lazarus Spengler by Albrecht Dürer, 1516
Peter Gillis by Quentin Massys, 1517
Man with a Glove by Titian, c. 1520-1522
Hans Melber by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526
Portrait of a man with a moor's head on his signet ring by Conrad Faber von Creuznach
Elector John the Steadfast of Saxony by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526
Family Portrait by Maerten van Heemskerck, c. 1530
Suppliants in the office of two tax collectors, workshop of Quentin Massys. Several in this genre show what appears to be signet rings; see also The Tax Collectors
Gerhard von Westerburg by Barthel Bruyn I, 1524
Georg Gisze by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1532
A young man with a lute, c. 1540-1560
Andreas (?) Boulengier, 16th century; the ring resembles the reverse-painted rock crystal styles shown above
Wax portrait of a man, possibly Garcia de Medicis, mid-15th century
Sir John Hawkins, 1581; notice signet ring hanging around his neck