GEORGIAN Era LOCKET Back Ring French Marquise Nobility 18k Gold Tricolor Floral Lily Louis XVI Royal Provenance

ABOUT:

In all my years of selling, the most common question I get asked is, "Do you have any more information as to the provenance of this piece?" We lovers of antique jewelry of course love the stories of antiques and always wish we knew all the memories they could tell us - the lives they've seen, the changes in times, the people who wore them, when and where. Sadly, these stories are so often lost as pieces change hands. I always admit this to my buyers, usually being able to tell them only where I acquired the piece and not much detail prior to that unless the piece is engraved or dated.

This ring, however, came with a passed down story so I will tell it as it was told to me. (Note that I don't have any paperwork, it was just the story that has been passed down since the early 1800s with the piece, told to me when I found it in Paris in a collection of other pieces with the same provenance : )

This locket ring is crafted in 18k tricolor gold and dates to the early 1800s. It belonged to the family of a Marquise (the level of French nobility below Duke but higher than Earl, Viscount or Baron) who had very close ties to the royal family, King Louis XV and King Louis XVI. According to family legend, the locket ring was worn by a lady in waiting and originally held a piece of Louis XVI last shirt (sadly lost, the ring was empty when I received it). Louis XVI being the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution.

The ring face as you can see is a compartment that has a little door/ panel on the back inside the ring face which swings open, where the scrap of shirt was held, below the beveled and cut glass pane.

The fabrication is such that there is vacant space in the domed band, however it is still sturdy. Such intricate fabrication with the hinged panel door. The ring shoulders are also beautiful, with tricolor gold floral details of an easter lily with green gold fronds of palms tied by a rose gold ribbon.

Found in France. No hallmarks remain but 18k is the standard there and it was tested to confirm.

Antique boxes, props, staircases and bannisters ; ) not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.

MEASUREMENTS:
Size 9 , I cannot speak for a goldsmith as to the ability of sizing an antique ring with a hollow shank so that is something you would have to speak with your local jeweler about.

The ring face is 8.8mm north to south and domes 2.7mm off the finger, the little oval pane is 12mm wide. It weighs 3.85g as there is vacant space inside the ring face and shoulders.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Awesome to see such an old hinge still holding the panel door in place securely, but note that it does not snap or seal closed, just delicately closes and opens with gravity when off the finger. When not wearing the ring, it flaps open on its own. It does of course stay closed once on the finger and is not felt or bothersome. You just have to manually close it before slipping on the hand. Once closed it is smooth as can be with the inside of the shank being a beautiful comfort fit, slightly domed so it feels lovely sliding on and off the finger. Of course with very old hinges and very intricate fabrication needs a gentle hand but it is a stable piece. Some surface wear and patina but still very legible and well shaped. Some nibbles to the crystal panel.

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. : )
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 : )

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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).

Box#m.!12$