Sivilingeniørring (NTH graduate ring)
The sivilingeniørring, often called the NTH ring, is a Norwegian graduate ring associated with engineering and architecture degrees at NTH and later NTNU. Its design features a gold sphere surrounded by a steel ring and supporting elements. The sphere represents the Earth and the steel structure is associated with technology.
Designer and production
Tekna traces the design to a 1914 competition won by architecture student Tormod Kristoffer Hustad. Gullsmed Dahlsveen states that its development and numbered production began in 1928. The origin of the design is therefore not the manufacturing date of an individual ring.
More than one maker
Tekna's historical account also mentions other makers after Dahlsveen's exclusive arrangement ended. Shape alone should therefore not determine who made a ring. Distinguish the original designer, retailer, executing workshop and any responsibility mark.
Examination and documentation
Photograph the top and underside, all metal marks, numbers and engravings. Record size, deformation, wear and possible alterations following resizing. Do not interpret a ring number as a year without a confirmed numbering sequence. An old case or family history can support provenance, but should be considered alongside the ring itself and any archival records.
Sources
Tekna: Slår ring om ringen; Gullsmed Dahlsveen: Sivilingeniørringen; NTNU: Høiskoleringen (1995); Gullsmed Møller: Sivilingeniørringen.
