Ring
1800-1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Rings were an important part of the traditional dress of both men and women in 19th century Italy. Like all Italian traditional jewellery, they often seem much more substantial than they really are. The Italians have always loved lavish display, and even for the poorest, a rich show of jewellery was all important. Italian goldsmiths were expert at making a little material go a very long way. The stones in this ring are cut and fitted as if they were real diamonds, but they are only made of glass.
It was bought for £1 4s as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
It was bought for £1 4s as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold set with clear pastes in a silver mount |
| Brief description | Gold ring set with a lozenge of clear pastes, Italy, 1800-1860. |
| Physical description | Gold ring with a lozenge-shaped bezel of four clear lozenge-shaped pastes set closely together in a silver mount. There is an engraved design on the back of the bezel. There is a black spot painted on the cullet of each stone. |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | Rings were an important part of the traditional dress of both men and women in 19th century Italy. Like all Italian traditional jewellery, they often seem much more substantial than they really are. The Italians have always loved lavish display, and even for the poorest, a rich show of jewellery was all important. Italian goldsmiths were expert at making a little material go a very long way. The stones in this ring are cut and fitted as if they were real diamonds, but they are only made of glass. It was bought for £1 4s as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 479-1868 |
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| Record created | April 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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