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A GENTLEMAN'S GEORGIAN GOLD CLADDAGH RING, Galway c.1775, inscribed with makers mark 'RR', probably Robinson, ring size SSenator Edward Maguire records a similar maker's mark on a Galway rosary from the mid 1770s and has identified the maker as 'Robinson'.The motif of the heart, symbolic of love and friendship, is at the centre of the genesis of Claddagh ring design which originated in the early 18th century. The earliest Irish Claddagh ring examples date to 1700 and are associated with the Galway goldsmith Richard Joyce. The decorative device of two hands clasped in love and trust is found all over Europe, on brooches, and on rings, such as this example. This type of ring is commonly known as a 'fede' (faith) ring. The characteristics varied with more elaborate designs such as the English ring dated to 1706 consisting of a bezel set with a diamond heart crowned and held by two white enamelled gold hands. These rings were often inscribed on the occasion of marriage, following the tradition in society to use objects of ornament as an outward expression of the private union of the couple. From the early 1800s it became a growing industry which resulted in more commercialised production. The relationship between the name ‘Claddagh’ and the ring design was linked to Mr and Mrs Samuel Carter Hall’s three-volume description of Ireland which was published in London 1841-43. However, this account has been discredited, notably by Ida Delmare in her 1996 article in the Irish Arts Review. Delmare argued that the idea of the small fishing village near Galway city, had a custom of producing these expensive gold rings despite the fact that the socio-economic position of this community would make it questionable. Very few gold rings survive from before 1770 and any in existence dating to before 1840 are male rings such as the present example.
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