Ring van ijzer van de kanonneerboot No. 2 van J.C.J. van Speyk after 1831

This ring, crafted from iron, is a relic from the No. 2 Gunboat of J.C.J. van Speyk. The inscription indicates its creation in February 1831. But what is iron? From antiquity, iron has been linked to Mars, the god of war. This ring embodies both protection and remembrance; the ring, an ancient symbol of eternity and binding, marries these concepts. Throughout history, rings have signified power, commitment, and status. Think of the Roman senators with their signet rings, or the wedding bands of our own time. The act of wearing such a ring is a potent expression of identification, a way to carry a piece of history—or in this case, sacrifice—with oneself. Much like a talisman, this iron ring becomes charged with the emotional weight of van Speyk’s sacrifice. The symbolism of the ring transforms, as a connection to a heroic act, underscoring how symbols evolve, accruing layers of meaning across time.