Antique Victorian, Art Nouveau Egyptian Revival scarab ring. 14k gold and lapis lazuli. Made circa 1895-1905 by George O. Street & Sons, New York, New York, USA. Unisex suitable for a man or woman.
Measurements:
US size 4.25. Weighs 6.3 grams.
Description :
Perfect as a pinky ring for a man or a woman, it could be worn on any finger. Made during the second half of the 19th century at the height of the Egyptian Revival craze in Europe and America with strong Art Nouveau design. The bezel in the form of a bright blue scarab carved from lapis lazuli. It is set in 14k gold, beautifully modelled with lotus flowers in full bloom seen in profile on the shoulders, tapering to twined stems running down the sides of the shank.
Lapis Lazuli was the most valued and important gem stone to the Ancient Egyptians as seen in the jewelry of Pharaohs such as King Tutankhamun. The combination of the holy scarab (see below) and lapis lazuli makes this ring doubly significant and symbolic.
Geo. O. Street & Co., later called George O. Street & Co. were high end jewelry manufacturers in New York, New York, seemingly specialising in cameos and other related items.
Marks:
Inside the shank has company logo S inside an oval and 14 for gold standard. Hand engraved 42974 very lightly visible.
Condition:
Good with negligible wear commensurate with age/use. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
For hundreds of years, the world has been fascinated with Ancient Egypt.
Following Napoleon Bonaparte's campaigns in Egypt, there was a huge mania for Egypt-related jewelry in France.
With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, there was an even bigger resurgence of this passion. Even jewellers like Castellani, who generally focused on the Ancient Greeks and Etruscans, made fabulous jewelry set with micromosaics as echoes and in homage to the Ancient Egyptians. Most of us will never see a Castellani micromosaic in the Ancient Egyptian style, but there are some available by other makers such as out brooch #6840 with Pharoah portraits. Other fabulous jewels, enamelled, set with gems, in a variety of materials from wood to gold and platinum, show the range of influence of Ancient Egypt.
Louis Comfort Tiffany, who toured in Egypt as a young man was greatly influenced by Ancient Egypt both in his early jewelry and in the making of glass.
Egyptian Revival jewelry received its greates boost after 1922, when Howard Carter discovered King Tutenkhamun's tomb.
Some Egyptian Revival jewelry is accurate in its depiction of hieroglyphics and other Egyptian symbols.
Some of the most interesting jewelry from the late 19th century in this style incorporate actual Ancient Egyptian items - medallions, faience, scarabs into their gold mounts.
Most Egyptian Revival jewels are more decorative, using the symbols of snakes, cats, sphynxes, pharoahs and scarabs in a more decorative fashion.
