Description This ring is from the portrait of Thomas Cromwell by Hans Holbein. The ring is highlighted in the portrait, which shows Cromwell as a serious, powerful, and, according to some interpretations, a somewhat sinister figure. The ring is believed to have been inherited or taken from Cardinal Wolsey, Cromwell’s former master, signifying a transfer of power and loyalty. The ring is documented in a 16th-century inventory of Cromwell’s possessions, confirming its existence and value. Holbein painted the ring with meticulous detail, placing it on the same hand that holds a letter, emphasizing Cromwell’s role as a man of business and administration. The turquoise ring remains a fascinating detail in Holbein’s portrait, hinting at the complex, ambitious, and often ruthless nature of the man who served Henry VIII. Nicky supplied reproductions for the BBC’S “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel. The rings made were worn by Mark Rylance and Jonathan Pryce. Sean Bean has also worn Nicky’s replica ring in the Shardlake series
