DOG Puppy Loyalty GEORGIAN Era LOCKET Poison Ring 18k Gold Enamel Figural Animal Jewelry Secret Compartment

reserved for my customer 

 

ABOUT:

A true work of art! Special antique locket / poison ring from the Georgian period with secret compartment behind the beautifully decorated ring face. Beautiful detail to the hand painted enamel depicting a dog on the shield shaped lid. This small hinged compartment flips open to hold a keepsake of a loved one.

The beautiful design carries on to the gorgeously detailed ring shoulders with vibrant blue, black and white enamel depicting a forget me not flower on each side.

The dog image was a popular motif during the Georgian and Victorian periods. The motif was used often in jewelry design for representing loyalty, devotion and faithfulness.

Found in Switzerland but I believe it is Italian made? Not at all uncommon for adjacent countries in Europe to show crossover in jewelry. Definitely a Georgian era piece with the enamel work. I read that there is a similar one at the Swiss National museum in Zurich. This uncommon piece is also museum worthy.

Crafted in 18k gold and enamel. There is a hallmark inside the locket but it is a partial stamp and I can't make it out.

The fabrication is such that there is vacant space in the domed band, it is still sturdy but more delicate in nature as expected for age of over 200 years. Such intricate fabrication with the hinged panel door. The lid closes securely with a strong snap and remains closed while wearing, with the hidden compartment known only to the wearer.

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. It appears to have been sized in the past (and repaired?)

The ring face is 13mm north to south and domes 4.3mm off the finger, the little shield panel door is 9mm wide. It weighs just 2.2g 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, it strongly snaps closed and open. The hinge wobbles a bit while open but opens and closes really well for age. Of course with very old hinges and very intricate fabrication, it needs a gentle hand but the locket face is quite stable.

There is a repair on one side of the shank with smooth gold over the lower part of where the enamel detail originally continued around the side of the ring - extending towards the back of the shank past the halfway point. The piece appears to have been sized so I wonder if heat was used with the hollow fabrication causing the need for reinforcement there? Or perhaps it was always a repair? You can see where the pattern ends and the difference in hues, and there is a small crease there as well with solder and impressions on the inside as well where the work was done. Fortunately this is all at the side of the ring which is hidden by the adjacent finger when wearing, so it is only visible when off the hand and studying it from the side and back.

Some nicks and nibbles to the enamel but the top side and lid especially is super legible with incredible detail, a lovely sheen and a complete design with no loss to the enamel down to the underlying gold. Some crazing and loss at the shoulders but minor considering age, aside from the one aforementioned area towards the back.

The shank is thin in the back and the edges are blunt from age as this is a rare collector item and recommended for gentle wear. This is a work of art. The ring does not flex or bend but with the hollow fabrication is is more delicate in nature.

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:
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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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