{"product_id":"french-pinchbeck-signet-ring-c-1820","title":"French Pinchbeck Signet Ring","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eA large French signet ring dating to around 1820, made in pinchbeck and constructed in a lightweight hollow repoussé form.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003ePinchbeck is a copper-and-zinc alloy developed in the early 18th century to imitate the appearance of high-karat gold. At its best it was a fashionable material in its own right, particularly for jewellery, watch cases and accessories, offering the rich colour of gold without its cost.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe rectangular signet face is decorated with fine engine-turning, a mechanically engraved technique that became increasingly fashionable in jewellery during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Here, tightly repeated linear and wavy patterns create an unusual abstract design framed by scrolling comma-like motifs. The shoulders are equally decorative, with raised repoussé scrollwork typical of the period.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eA rectangular maker’s punch is present, appearing to read \u003cstrong\u003eJULIER or JULIEN\u003c\/strong\u003e, though the maker remains to be fully identified.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe lightweight hollow ring weighs 1.46g and is a generously proportioned UK size V \/ US 10.5. An unusually large and highly wearable early 19th-century French signet ring\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49310664491316,"sku":"1017810357","price":258.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/Ravensbury_-767.jpg?v=1791132028","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/en-ie\/products\/french-pinchbeck-signet-ring-c-1820","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}