Watch ring of platinum and rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding the watch face, by Nathan Fishberg, London, about 1925.

Watch ring of platinum and rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding the watch face

Given by Harry Fishberg

Nathan Fishberg was a London jeweller who had a workshop on 201 Commercial Street, E1. His son Harry Fishberg donated the ring to the V&A as a response to the Museum's 1977 appeal for Art Deco jewellery.

Nathan Fishberg was born 1884 in Mizrach,Poland, and died December 30, 1957 in London. The London Gazette - 5th February 1937 reported that he was on the:

"LIST of ALIENS to whom Exemptions under Section 7 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, have been granted up to 31st January, 1937

The Name printed in larger type is that in respect of which the Exemption has been granted; then follow the former Name or Names and the Occupation or Business of the Alien or Aliens:–

FISHBERG, N. & SON; N. Fishberg; Diamond Merchant and Jeweller; 201, Commercial Road East, E.1"

The Aliens Registration Act was introduced during the First World War to control the movements of people from countries with which Britain was at war. It restricted the employment opportunities for people who fell under its aegis and barred them from certain occupations such as the civil service.

By the end of the 16th century, it was possible to make clock movements so miniature that they could be fitted into pieces of jewellery. A 1651 French design by Pierre Woeiriot shows a Renaissance ring fitted with a tiny watch.

Ring watches continued to be made in the 18th and 19th centuries. Large numbers of ring watches were made in the early twentieth century, both by the major jewellery houses and for the mass market. Some watch rings allowed the watch to be removed and placed in a bracelet or brooch. Some rings, like this platinum and diamond ring by Nathan Fishberg incoporate the watch face into the design whilst others were fitted with a gem set or filigree bezel which covered the watch.

Using platinum, although more difficult to work than silver, allowed the diamonds to be set in strong, unobtrusive settings which would not tarnish. The combination of diamonds and platinum created the 'all white' jewellery which was fashionable in the 1920s.

M.241-1977