Antique Art Nouveau figural ring. 18k gold and opal. Made in France circa 1900.
Unisex - possibly made for a man, but suitable for a man or a woman.
Measurements:
Weight is 14.6 grams. US size 9 1/2. Diameter of opal is 10mm.
Description :
The shank or hoop of this ring is in the form of a pair of naiads or mermaids - female deities of the water. One stretches out on her back, arms extended to suspend the opal globe. The other lies on her side. Voluptuous and feminine, their draped lower bodies taper to moulded twisted gold drapery at the narrowest section of the shank. Hair flows down and fans out over their backs. Modelling of the highest sculptural quality and detail. The best of great French workmanship.
The opal is in the form of a sphere. This white opal has a great range of flashing colors: orange ranging from yellow to red, a variety of green tones, purple.
Marks and Metal:
French owl mark on the shank. Inside the shank, directly behind the top of the bezel is an engraved circle with a cross inside. We do not know what this signifies.
Condition:
Good with minor wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
Semi-Nude, intertwined, metamorphic figures were popular during the Art Nouveau era. Rings with this theme were made by L Aucoc, Rene Lalique and Lucien Falize. Lesser examples are rarely found, but this is a great example - very solid, large and very finely detailed. During the Nouveau era, the elongated female figure, body twisting into organic and twining forms were inspired by artists such as Sarah Bernhardt and Rene Lalique. Since the period was very short - lasting a few years from late Victorian through the Edwardian era, there were not many examples made and those that did exist have been snatched up by museums and serious collectors. It is very rare to find an example of this quality, in this condition. Wear and own a unique museum piece - art as adornment and the ultimate symbol of the true connoisseur.
Recently, fine quality opals have been in sky-high demand. This opal with it's display of varied flashing colors is a huge bonus to an already-fabulous item.
A similar ring with two figures and a spherical gem (a turquoise?) is shown on page 224 of Tadema's book. Other examples include those by Louis Aucoc (who taught Rene Lalique the jewelry trade) (see Parisier Schmuck - page 242).
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