Sicilian craftsmen, before 1222
Jewels of Empress Constance of Aragon
a. gold ring with emerald (2,8×2,2 cm)
b. gold ring with blue enamel (2,5×2,3 cm)
c. gold filigree ring with ruby (2,6×2,3 cm)
Palermo, Treasure of the Cathedral, from the Empress’ sarcophagus

The accounts of the two official openings of the tomb of Empress Constance of Aragon (1491 and 1781) – in addition to her crown (cat. 26) and a generic “jewel” in gold filigree with pearls and gems, which was identified as an element of a choker – both mention five gold rings with precious stones (cat. 21, n. 3, 4).
The choker fragment and two rings had already gone lost in 1848. The surviving ones, here on display, are set with an emerald, a ruby and a glass paste of sapphire color, respectively symbolizing fertility, love and fidelity. We like to think that they were given to his first beloved wife by the young Emperor Frederick II.