Materials: Sterling silver casting grain, Copper Sheet, Nickel Wire, Enamel

Statement: Lady Fingers is a collection of rings that honors the maiden names of my grandmothers, mother, and my last name. My collection was inspired by the traditional history of signet rings and a desire to transform the stereotypes to better represent my heritage and respect for the women in my family. 

According to the History Press, signet rings were originally used as marks of authenticity and were “unique [as they served to avoid] any possibility of forged documents appearing after a nobleman’s death. Having a ring during this period marked you as a member of the highest class and above other, common men.” Additionally, it was common for “the head of the family [to wear] an imposing signet, which he [would] pass on to his son; [and] the tradition [would] pass from generation to generation.” Signet rings were dominantly worn by males and would represent the male heritage that gets passed down as the husband’s last name is adopted through marriage. They were usually worn alone on either the pinky or ring fingers. 

I chose to disrupt this traditional style of signet rings in three ways:

1. Create a set of rings that can be worn simultaneously on one hand.

2. Alter the “crest” or “name” function of the signet ring by shortening names and displaying them through multiple stylistic techniques (adding wax, removing wax, through full names, through shortened names, and including odes to first names as well. 

3. Use the maiden names of my family, rather than the paternal names that are adopted, ultimately resulting in the erasure and loss of feminine heritage. 

My piece consists of four rings and an enameled display element. The four rings were casted in sterling silver from wax figures. The process began with forming molds of rings I had been given by my grandmothers, great grandmother, and mom. I chose to have the four rings represent four last names:

• Pointer finger: McKechnie (my last name) on a ring given to me by my paternal grandmother 

• Middle finger: My maternal grandmother's maiden name on a ring given to me by my maternal grandfather

• Ring finger: My mother’s maiden name on a ring given to my grandmother from her mother and then to me

• Pinky finger: My paternal grandmother’s maiden name) on a ring given to me by my maternal grandmother

Through the process I shortened some of the last names to further transform the idea of “traditional” signet rings.

The central theme of my project is inheritance and repetition– both of which the strong maternal values held on both sides of my family. My aesthetic approach was to transform the traditional idea of signet rings (rings worn by men with either a family crest or last name) to something that made homage to the women in my family. The addition of the display element was born out of my passion for enameling and colorful features. I also liked the idea of having a set place where the rings can be displayed as a visual set and art piece, rather than being stored in a dish or jewelry box. 

Sources:
https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/a-brief-history-of-signet-rings/