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A highly unusual Georgian sentimental ring, dating to around 1800, crafted in 18K gold and set with a hand-painted portrait miniature of a young woman beneath rock crystal. The wide band is formed with beautifully woven hairwork, bordered by periwinkle-blue enamel and fine twisted rope-wire edges. It is a very personal jewel, made to be worn close on the hand, and has a wonderfully intimate character.The ring is not inscribed with a name, date or dedication, which suggests it was more likely made as a private love token rather than a formal mourning ring. In Georgian jewellery, hair was not only used for memorial pieces; it could also represent affection, loyalty and remembrance between living people. The periwinkle blue enamel adds to this sentimental language, traditionally associated with constancy and devotion.The portrait measures approximately 15 × 12mm, while the band itself is around 1.5cm wide, giving the ring excellent finger coverage. The woven hairwork continues around the band and remains very well preserved for its age. The enamel is in excellent condition, with no notable losses, and the gold mount shows only light wear. There is some crystalline degradation visible beneath the rock crystal over the portrait, consistent with age and moisture ingress in glazed miniatures of this type; this could be cleaned by a specialist if desired, but has been left as found.US 8, UK size Q 1/2Unmarked, but testing as 18K gold. Weight: 7.05g. A rare and very evocative Georgian hairwork ring, combining portrait miniature, enamel and woven hair in a particularly striking wide-band design.
A highly unusual Georgian sentimental ring, dating to around 1800, crafted in 18K gold and set with a hand-painted portrait miniature of a young woman beneath rock crystal. The wide band is formed with beautifully woven hairwork, bordered by periwinkle-blue enamel and fine twisted rope-wire edges. It is a very personal jewel, made to be worn close on the hand, and has a wonderfully intimate character.
The ring is not inscribed with a name, date or dedication, which suggests it was more likely made as a private love token rather than a formal mourning ring. In Georgian jewellery, hair was not only used for memorial pieces; it could also represent affection, loyalty and remembrance between living people. The periwinkle blue enamel adds to this sentimental language, traditionally associated with constancy and devotion.
The portrait measures approximately 15 × 12mm, while the band itself is around 1.5cm wide, giving the ring excellent finger coverage. The woven hairwork continues around the band and remains very well preserved for its age. The enamel is in excellent condition, with no notable losses, and the gold mount shows only light wear. There is some crystalline degradation visible beneath the rock crystal over the portrait, consistent with age and moisture ingress in glazed miniatures of this type; this could be cleaned by a specialist if desired, but has been left as found.
US 8, UK size Q 1/2
Unmarked, but testing as 18K gold. Weight: 7.05g. A rare and very evocative Georgian hairwork ring, combining portrait miniature, enamel and woven hair in a particularly striking wide-band design.
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