Antique Victorian double snake ring. 18k gold and diamonds. Made in France, 19th century. Unisex - suitable for a man or a woman.
Measurements:
Weight is 4.3 grams. A little over a US size 7.
Description :
Double snake ring in an elegant, open design that coils around the finger as the snakes coil around one another and twine around the shoulders of the ring. Each head is pointing slightly outwards - towards tip of finger and towards wrist - and each head is set with a diamond. Engraved detail of snake-skin and eyes.
Bifurcate shoulders that form an integral part of the design - forming extensions of the snake bodies. The converge towards the back of the ring where they join up for added strength.
One of the most elegant and well-made snake rings I've seen, this ring is suitable to wear with any outfit and on any occasion. It is suitable for a man or a woman.
Marks and Metal:
Partial Eagle head mark on outside of shank for 18k gold, made in Paris.
Condition:
Good with negligible 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:
Ever since the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, snakes have been a popular theme in jewelry. They are symbols of eternity and eternal love amongst many other qualities and protect the wearer from harm. While there are many other symbols and benefits associated with snake jewelry, it is the concept of eternal love that has made snake rings so popular, in particular as engagement rings. In fact, Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a snake ring as her engagement ring. It is known that that ring was set with an emerald, but to this day, the actual ring has disappeared. However, many rings made in emulation of the Queen's engagement ring have survived. Naturally, these early trendsetters set off a new explosion in snake jewelry fashion. While there are many snake rings available, not every snake ring is equal and this one happens to be one of the loveliest I've seen. Not only is it a double, but the design and workmanship are exceptional with the open spaces between the elegantly twining body that coils around itself on multiple levels.
