rings
Object numberM2006/128
Titlerings
DescriptionWedding ring, silver, Poland, c. 1900 (modern chain.) - a modern day interpretation of a 17th - 18th century ring, encompassing all the symbolism of the Jewish marriage ceremony.
It belonged to American-born Marilyn Smith, a friend of the donor, Maureen Flekser. Marilyn bequeathed the ring to Maureen when she passed away in 1985. The ring was posted to Maureen in Australia. Marilyn's parents and grandparents were from a shtetl (village), Suchowola, a satellite of Bialystok, Poland. When the Germans were advancing, Marilyn's grandfather, who was involved in the local synagogue, saved the ring possibly together with other treasures and took it with him to America. The ring was passed down to his granddaughter, who added a silver chain to wear it as a necklace.
The provenance is hearsay: that couples too poor to afford their own wedding ring would have used a communal wedding ring during the marriage ceremony. The words ‘Mazal Tov’ are inscribed on the circular base. On top of the ring is a building with four turrets. The structure opens to reveal a ‘bimah’ with a Torah scroll containing a mark resembling the infinity symbol (8). The structure contains numerous arches and a pair of hands representing a ‘Cohen’. The portion of the ring with the clasp contains an inscription of the refrain said at weddings, "Kol Sasson V'Simcha Kol Chatan V'Kalah".
It belonged to American-born Marilyn Smith, a friend of the donor, Maureen Flekser. Marilyn bequeathed the ring to Maureen when she passed away in 1985. The ring was posted to Maureen in Australia. Marilyn's parents and grandparents were from a shtetl (village), Suchowola, a satellite of Bialystok, Poland. When the Germans were advancing, Marilyn's grandfather, who was involved in the local synagogue, saved the ring possibly together with other treasures and took it with him to America. The ring was passed down to his granddaughter, who added a silver chain to wear it as a necklace.
The provenance is hearsay: that couples too poor to afford their own wedding ring would have used a communal wedding ring during the marriage ceremony. The words ‘Mazal Tov’ are inscribed on the circular base. On top of the ring is a building with four turrets. The structure opens to reveal a ‘bimah’ with a Torah scroll containing a mark resembling the infinity symbol (8). The structure contains numerous arches and a pair of hands representing a ‘Cohen’. The portion of the ring with the clasp contains an inscription of the refrain said at weddings, "Kol Sasson V'Simcha Kol Chatan V'Kalah".
Production placePoland
Production periodMid 20th century
SubjectPre-war life, wedding objects, marriage, jewellery
Object namejewellery
Materialsilver
Dimensions
- widest point width: 40.00 mm
height: 100.00 mm
ring width: 20.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Maureen Flekser