This rare antique late 18th century gold ring was made in France and features a painted enamel miniature of a shepherd boy holding a crook. This pastoral scene probably depicts David the Shepherd Boy, who gains fame and becomes a hero by killing Goliath, and was later chosen by God to become King of Israel.

The technique of miniature painting in enamel has been popular in France since the 16th century where the city of Limoges became the centre of this technique. The process involved covering a gold or copper plate with a white base, before firing pigmented glass solutions with metal oxides in a kiln, each different colour requiring a separate firing due to different temperature requirements. Each separate firing presented great risk of the enamel cracking or bubbling, so great precision was required for a successful outcome. 

UK size Q, US size 8 

The ring weighs a total of 3.65 grams and is unmarked but tests as 14K gold. The oval miniature measures 20mm x 15mm.

A golden age for jewellery design, boasting intricate designs inspired by nature and classical mythology. The style reflects the elegance and refinement of the 18th century with the use of diamonds, pastes and intricately worked Rococo settings.

Georgian jewellery is named after the four King Georges of England, an era which lasted from 1714 to 1837. Pieces of Georgian jewellery are handmade works of art, expertly crafted to be treasured for generations. They often used rose-cut and flat-cut stones with large facets that were often foiled to enhance their natural beauty. These pieces were reserved mainly for the aristocratic upper classes, with each piece individually crafted by a highly skilled hand.

DELIVERY

We are pleased to offer free worldwide shipping on all our orders. We dispatch all items via a secure and trackable delivery service providing full insurance for your item. You will receive a shipping confirmation email after purchase with your tracking number so that you know your order is on its way. We aim to dispatch all items within 1-2 working days after payment has been received.

For UK delivery, we send with Royal Mail Special Delivery, arriving by the next working day. For International orders over £1000 we use DHL Express International, and for orders under £1000 we use Royal Mail International Tracked and Signed. All items are sent fully insured.

You can find more information about our shipping policy here.

RETURNS

We understand that purchasing antique jewellery online can be a daunting task, which is why we offer an easy, no-hassle returns policy. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply get in touch within 14 days of receipt for a full refund, no questions asked. We want our customers to feel confident when buying from us, and our returns policy is just one way we ensure this.

Conditions: Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. All items are to be returned in their original condition and packaging. Buyer damaged items and items bought on layaway are ineligible for returns. Items over £2500 can be returned for store credit only.

You can find more information about our returns policy here.