![This finger ring symbolises the wearer's loyalty to Mary I of Scotland, also known as Mary Stuart.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ringe-maria-stuart-titelbild-300x225.jpg)
Secret support for Mary Stuart
Rings can be more than simply adornment, expression of personal sentiment or symbols of status, they can also conceal or openly show allegiance to a political cause. In some cases, such affiliations could have dangerous consequences, even death.
![Finger ring with heart, coat of arms and inscription, c. 1560-1580.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/fingerring-mit-herz-wappen-und-inschrift-um-1560-1580-dep-13464-300x144.jpg)
![Royal coat of arms of Scotland until 1603.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/konigliches-wappen-von-schottland-bis-1603-300x297.jpg)
![Mary Stuart and her husband, Francis II King of France. Miniature from Catherine de' Medici's Book of Hours, c. 1573.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/maria-stuart-und-ihr-ehemann-franz-ii-konig-von-frankreich-218x300.jpg)
![Mary Stuart, c. 1558, in a portrait after François Clouet.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/maria-stuart-um-1558-in-einem-portrat-nach-francois-clouet-194x300.jpg)
![Penicuik jewels](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/penicuik-jewels-300x237.jpg)
![Finger ring with rose and inscription, 1745.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/fingerring-mit-rose-und-inschrift-1745-dep-11974-300x122.jpg)
![The "Old Pretender" James Francis Edward Stuart, c. 1720.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/der-old-pretender-james-francis-edward-stuart-um-1720-237x300.jpg)
The collection
The exhibition showcases more than 7,000 exhibits from the Museum’s own collection, highlighting Swiss artistry and craftsmanship over a period of about 1,000 years. The exhibition spaces themselves are important witnesses to contemporary history, and tie in with the objects displayed to create a historically dense atmosphere that allows visitors to immerse themselves deeply in the past.