This custom project for a client features a 22kt gold original “Mudejar” style ring design by Marcial de Gomar and a gorgeous cushion cut Colombian emerald. One of the many influences in Manuel’s designs comes from all his years examining incredible emerald rings and jewelry brought up from the world famous sunken galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha discovered by the late Mel Fisher. The jewelry from these sunken Spanish galleons often displays this beautiful confluence of Christian and Islamic art from Spain and are a delightful contribution to the world of art and part of humanity’s progressive history. The original Mudejar inspired ring by Marcial de Gomar is named “La Reina” and is seen in the featured image at the top of this post.
The Historic Origins Of the Mudéjar
To understand the emergence of mudéjar design, it is essential to know something of the history of the Iberian Peninsula. As early as the year 711 AD, large swathes of Spain and Portugal were invaded by forces sent by the Umayyad Caliphate. At the time, it was the second of the four major Caliphates of the Muslim world, and at its peak, it stretched from modern-day Morocco to Pakistan. What ensued was one of the most troubled times in Spanish history but also one of important cultural widening which profoundly influenced Spain’s language, architecture and intellectual culture. For over seven centuries, the Spanish army fought to reclaim the occupied lands during what is known as the Spanish Reconquista, and in 1492, the last Muslim emirate was defeated in Granada. However, for a brief period following the end of the fighting, Muslims living in Spain were afforded religious and cultural tolerance, guaranteed by the Treaty of Granada, which had been signed in 1491. Although many Muslims left the country or were forced into religious conversion, many others remained in Spain and submitted to the Catholic ruler, keeping their culture and religion: these people would become known in Spain as the mudéjar.
Text Source: courtesy of theculturetrip.com
Finished Ring
