Ring
C. 1760-1800
| Artist/Maker |
This ring is similar in design to mourning rings set with panels of plaited hair but it is probably a decorative or sentimental ring. Hair was widely exchanged between friends in life and was accounted a personal and touching gift. The bezel may have begun life as a bracelet or slide and have had the hoop added at a later date.
The tiny gold stars are reminiscent of the fashion for rings with a blue enamel ground and a scatter of small diamonds. In 1778, the long awaited news of the pregnancy of French queen Marie Antoinette was marked by rings 'au firmament' with diamonds scattered like stars in the midnight sky on a dark blue ground, and the birth of her first son in 1781 by 'bagues a l'enfantement' centered on a large diamond.
The tiny gold stars are reminiscent of the fashion for rings with a blue enamel ground and a scatter of small diamonds. In 1778, the long awaited news of the pregnancy of French queen Marie Antoinette was marked by rings 'au firmament' with diamonds scattered like stars in the midnight sky on a dark blue ground, and the birth of her first son in 1781 by 'bagues a l'enfantement' centered on a large diamond.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Gold, glass, chrysoberyls and hair |
| Brief description | Gold ring with a pointed oval bezel of chrysoberyls set around a panel of plaited hair with 8 small gold stars. Late 18th century. |
| Physical description | Gold ring with a pointed oval bezel of chrysoberyls set around a panel of plaited hair with 8 small gold stars. Possibly modified from a slide. |
| Marks and inscriptions | Unmarked |
| Credit line | Given by Sir C. Dilke, M.P. |
| Object history | Acquired with a set of jewels consisting of a breast ornament, a pair of earrings and a ring. Possibly Portuguese. |
| Summary | This ring is similar in design to mourning rings set with panels of plaited hair but it is probably a decorative or sentimental ring. Hair was widely exchanged between friends in life and was accounted a personal and touching gift. The bezel may have begun life as a bracelet or slide and have had the hoop added at a later date. The tiny gold stars are reminiscent of the fashion for rings with a blue enamel ground and a scatter of small diamonds. In 1778, the long awaited news of the pregnancy of French queen Marie Antoinette was marked by rings 'au firmament' with diamonds scattered like stars in the midnight sky on a dark blue ground, and the birth of her first son in 1781 by 'bagues a l'enfantement' centered on a large diamond. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1538C-1904 |
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| Record created | February 1, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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