The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-13
HAS RINGS FROM EVERY
QUARTER OF THE GLOBE
Finest Collection in the World Owned
by a New York Man

The finest collection OF rings in the
country. II not in the world. is owned by
Alexander w. Drake OF New York. These
articles Of personal adornment have
never been exhibited but Mr.. Drake
has finally yielded TO the opportunities
OF the directors Of the New York Art
Club. and today the splendid collection
OF 1000 rings will be placed on ezhibi-
ton in the rooms Of that organization.
Mr.. Drake has picked up these rings
in all parts Of the world; some were
taken from the fingers OF Arabian
drivers; soms were bought In the
bazaars Of the Far East; others were
gathered in the pawnshOps Of ihe great
cities of the world. One interesting fact
Mr.. Drake has discovered IN forming
his collection is that every nation has
its snake ring He has even an Alaska
snake ring which Is In the form Of q
serpent with a curious round head like
II ose on the prOws Of the viking ships.
The Icelandcrs also have their snake
rings. carved from the tusks OF the
walrus. Some of the most interesting
rings in the collection are those that
were gathered in China. Ring making
among the Chinese Is old, much older
than among the Japanese. and some OF
the most beautiful rings in the collec-
ton are from the country OF the manda-
rims. One in particular that = described
in the catalogue y OF solid gold and
heavy, and has dragon Of most elab-
crate design running all the way around
it, Another is heavily engraved with
the signs Of the zodiac. and another, Of
a kind worn by the most aristocratic
Chinese. consists merely of a broad
and smooth band of flexible gold. which
may be adapted TO ft any finger, as II
is not made fast, but merely bent In the
form Of a ring.
The most characteristic ring in the
collection is a Jewish ring, which ia
made of iron, and which has two black
iron claws holding a tablet with texts
from the Talmud- Another, also Of iron,
is thick and is engraved with texts in
Hebrew. The Jewish rings are as rule
austere, although those from Spain are
slightly ornamented.
The most Interesting part of the col
lection-from the public's point OF view
at least. is that devoted TO puzzle rings.
Mr. brakes collection of these rings in
complete, every country being represent
ed. from the ornate Chinese gold ring
heavily jeweled with precious stones
down to the Mexican ring with an oval
OF goid in the center and two crescents
on either side Between these extremes
are American puzzle rings decorated
with the stars and stripes and heavy
silver puzzle rings from Bavarian peas
ant towns One very rare puzzle ring
is of Italian workmanship. 1t contains
a little golden shrine. and when its doors
are opened the Madonna and Child ara
shown inside. Another is ornamented
with gold envelope which opens ana
contains the space for portrait The
oldest among all the rings in Mr.. brakes
collection. is, according to the catalogue.
an Etruscan ring bearing the figure OF a
man on horseback In making this col
lection Mr. Drake has circled the globe
many times. has visited every country,
and he has spent several fortunes on his
hobby.-Rochester Post-E1press.