Jewellery has been a traditional part of the marriage ceremony since talmudic times. During the ceremony the groom places a ring on the finger of the bride to seal the marriage. Besides the wedding ring, the bride used to receive jewellery and clothes from the Jewish community in the name of the groom. Today, this tradition can be considered to have evolved into non-religious customs such as bridal showers, and pre-delivered wedding gifts.
This silver betrothal ring was hand crafted in Eastern
Europe. It was the ring placed on the bride during the
wedding ceremony. It used to be that if the groom could
not afford to purchase a ring the city would lend out the
ring for the ceremony. The ring is large, and is
decorated with a depiction of the Temple in Jerusalem
consisting of one main building and two attached towers.
The miniature interpretation of the Temple, whose size is
huge for a ring, sits on a platform on top of a type of bowl.
Following the same principals as a locket, the
Temple part of the ring and the base it sits on may lift
up to allow something to be stored in the bowl area.
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Back to Treasures | Glossary | Jewish Holidays | Life Cycle | Home Page |