Sephardic Hebrew signet ring

The signet ring is a ring whose bezel is intaglio-engraved with a name, a monogram, or an emblem, used to press a mark into wax to seal letters and documents and authenticate their author. In the Sephardic and Mediterranean world, these seals often bear an inscription in Hebrew letters engraved in reverse, so that the impression reads the right way around. Made in silver or bronze, they belong at once to the realm of jewelry and to administrative or commercial use. They testify to the role of Jews in trade and correspondence, where the authentication of written documents was essential.