An Introduction to Trade Rings Rings In the 17th and 18th centuries, simple finger rings, often called Jesuit rings, were a common item among trade goods brought to Native peoples by both missionaries and Colonial European traders alike. This is illustrated by the number of rings found in an archaeological context throughout many Northeastern and Great lakes Mission village and trade sites. These rings have been recovered in a wide area from Canada to Mississippi, however our focus remains on the rings found in the North. Early Rings: 1630-1670
A great number of the early rings are well made, often depicting religious Saints, scenes, and symbols. The most common of these are the L-heart, IHS, Pieta, Claddah, MM, and numerous variations of the aforementioned. There are also rings with a bust of Christ or clasped hands on a plaque with variation in design as well. Some rings albeit few, have political images such as that of Louis XIV and a sun motif as a representation of the same individual. Transitional period: 1670-1730
During this period there is a continued use of the earlier types previously mentioned however in addition to religious and political imagery, rings with simple as well as complicated engraved designs emerge. I addition, rings with glass stones become available. These paste rings came in a variety of shapes and sizes with the most common having seven stone settings resembling early roman jewelry with a center large setting and three smaller stones set on the sides. Other types included; one stone, three stone, five stone, some similar to the previous with square main settings and glass intaglio images of Saints, Queen Anne, George II. One known intaglio example in Rochester’s RMSC carries the depiction of a goose or swan. Late period: 1730-1770
At the turn of the 18th century rings began to lose their religious significance and drifted more toward the secular fur trade, in that the suppliers in Europe began to mass produce rings with less care taken in production, where as these newer rings were fabricated or roughly cast and then engraved or stamped in the final process of manufacture. The most common of these rings were simply engraved with initials. This type of ring is typical in sites such as Fletcher, Rock Island, Fort Michilimackinac, Fort Ouiatenon, and other Midwest and Great lakes trade centers. The latest of this type that we know of was attached to an imitation wampum bag c.1770 that is in the Kunstkamera Collection, St. Petersburg, Russia. Over the past few years we have discovered some previously unknown types, therefore, it is our goal to continue research and development in this area to provide the most accurate representations of the many types of trade rings that were in circulation during the 17th and 18th centuries. Please check back regularly for new updates on trade rings. Please check our listings for currently available
Rings
...click here At The Eastern Door 2007 |