ABOUT:
One of my favorite motifs for their whimsical figural detail! This wonderful Victorian French antique ring has a lot of fun details and a striking graphic. The ring depicts a dragon or chimera swirling around the large oval ring face with a bezel set old mine single cut diamond in its open mouth. The open work face is designed with two three leaf clovers, each set with an additional diamond. Really beautiful gold work, especially studying the satin finish scale and leaf details. The French were so wonderful at creating this texture of wrought gold work during the Art Nouveau Belle Epoque period.
The dragon and chimera image was a popular motif for the late 1800s to early 1900s period. These fantastical beasts were considered symbols of wealth and power, and worn as talismans for protection or amulets for good luck.
Large ring size, this may have been a men's ring but a great unisex design. Also displays a large ring face, but this was always a ring and never converted. It has an old serial number stamped inside one shoulder. Found in France with their hallmark for 18k gold on the back.
Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
MEASUREMENTS:
The ring is a size 11 3/4 on my mandrel. However the design is on its own platform so it should be a good candidate for sizing since reducing the shank will not affect the design of the ring face or the diamond settings. Always best to check with your local jeweler who would be doing the work though, to determine their comfort level in bending it down which may affect the ring shoulders, as opinions vary with modern jewelers working on antiques.
The ring face is 23x10mm and 3.5mm off the finger.
The ring weight is 5.7 grams.
The largest diamond is about 2.5mm.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Gorgeous gold work. Some surface wear if anything but it is still very legible and clear. No damage or eye visible inclusions to the diamonds.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : ) There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it is so shiny and mirrored that it reflects its surroundings including the green trees out the window.
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
Thanks so much for looking at my items!
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).
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