Finger-ring lore

Small circles hold vast histories. William Jones' Finger-ring Lore: Historical, Legendary, Anecdotal opens that history with a blend of antiquarian curiosity and genial storytelling. This concise yet capacious work traces the history of finger rings from ancient rites to the social tokens of nineteenth century England, offering an unusually readable account of Victorian jewellery history and the symbolism of rings. Jones records customs, superstitions and civic uses with the eye of an antiquary and the ear of a storyteller, so the material is as useful to students of William Jones jewellery studies as it is to newcomers picking up a book for pleasure.

Part compendium, part cultural portrait, the book gathers folklore and legends, regional customs and the small historical anecdotes jewellery collectors treasure. Jones places rings among Victorian-era artefacts and explains how objects of metal and stone became signs of office, love, identity and law; each entry suggests how cultural ring traditions vary across time and social rank. For an antique ring collection the book supplies context; for collectors and historians it provides references and human detail otherwise scattered across obscure sources. The tone is conversational rather than dry: anecdotes enliven scholarship, making this a sympathetic read for casual browsers and a thoughtful jewellery enthusiasts gift for those interested in material culture.

As a record of nineteenth-century England's material life and belief, Finger-ring Lore occupies a distinct place among Victorian antiquarian studies: it preserves social attitudes and material meanings that textbooks often miss. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Accessible enough for casual readers yet rich enough for classic-literature collectors and specialists, this edition invites anyone fascinated by the history of finger rings to explore the human stories bound in metal.