Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2011.1 |
Object Name |
Ring |
Title |
Diamond Ring |
Date |
unknown |
Description |
Yellow gold ring with four round diamonds in bezel setting, forming a clover shape. Sides of ring are embellished. Diamonds are reputed to have come from miniature portrait of Louis XVI, given to Benjamin Franklin by the French king in 1785. |
Label |
This gold ring contains four diamonds purportedly removed from a miniature portrait of Louis XVI owned by Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s presence in France between 1776 and 1785 as American commissioner helped ensure that nation's support of the revolutionary cause. Upon Franklin’s departure for the United States in 1785, Louis XVI gave him a miniature portrait of the king, surrounded by 408 diamonds. The miniature was made by Louis Sicard (alternatively spelled Sicardi), a painter at the French court. Franklin was a popular figure at court, and it was customary for Louis to distribute tokens with the royal likeness to dignitaries and other favorites. However, American ambassadors and government representatives had been forbidden to accept gifts or honors “from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Franklin, not wanting to break this rule, offered to present the portrait to the nation. However, Congress allowed him to keep the miniature. In his will, Franklin bequeathed the miniature to his daughter Sally, with the provision that she not wear it as an ornament. Some of the diamonds were removed and sold to finance a trip to England for Sally and her husband Richard Bache. As the portrait passed to other Franklin descendants, more and more diamonds were removed, distributed throughout the family, sold, or set into jewelry, as seen here. |
Material |
Gold, Diamonds |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Jean Starr and Allen Pergrin, January 2011. |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century Founding Father jewelry France French |