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A superb antique late Victorian snake ring. The coiled gold body of the snake delicately wraps around a turquoise ‘egg’ in the centre. The head of the snake is decorated with diamond eyes and the ring is crafted in 22K gold.
Snake jewellery, with its sinuous beauty and timeless mystique, has been a symbol of fascination and intrigue for centuries. However the snake motif had a strong resurgence in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery ever since Prince Albert bought Queen Victoria a snake engagement ring with an emerald (her birthstone) embedded into it. The Victorians associated the snake motif with eternal love and it has been a popular ever since.
The mythological symbol of a snake wrapped around an egg (also known as the ‘cosmic’ egg) can be found in the cosmogonies of many cultures and civilisations across the world. Typically, there is an egg which, upon "hatching", either gives rise to the universe itself or gives rise to a primordial being who, in turn, creates the universe. Typically, the upper half of the egg, or its outer shell, becomes the heaven and the lower half, or the inner yolk, becomes the Earth. See final photo for a diagram from Jacob Bryant's ‘Orphic Egg’ (1774).
Condition: When shaken, there is a very faint rattling sound from the setting, which could be tightened in seconds by any local jeweller, if desired. The turquoise stone is still very secure in its mount and the ring remains in great overall condition despite its significant age.
Measurements: UK size P 1/2, US size 7.75
The ring weighs 6.66 grams and the ring measures 3mm across at the back. The bezel measures 18mm north to south. The inner band is stamped with antique British hallmarks for the year 1892. The hallmarks of the ring suggest that it was possibly crafted from two existing wedding bands, as a type of sentimental jewel. The turquoise egg measures 14mm by 7mm.
A superb antique late Victorian snake ring. The coiled gold body of the snake delicately wraps around a turquoise ‘egg’ in the centre. The head of the snake is decorated with diamond eyes and the ring is crafted in 22K gold.
Snake jewellery, with its sinuous beauty and timeless mystique, has been a symbol of fascination and intrigue for centuries. However the snake motif had a strong resurgence in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery ever since Prince Albert bought Queen Victoria a snake engagement ring with an emerald (her birthstone) embedded into it. The Victorians associated the snake motif with eternal love and it has been a popular ever since.
The mythological symbol of a snake wrapped around an egg (also known as the ‘cosmic’ egg) can be found in the cosmogonies of many cultures and civilisations across the world. Typically, there is an egg which, upon "hatching", either gives rise to the universe itself or gives rise to a primordial being who, in turn, creates the universe. Typically, the upper half of the egg, or its outer shell, becomes the heaven and the lower half, or the inner yolk, becomes the Earth. See final photo for a diagram from Jacob Bryant's ‘Orphic Egg’ (1774).
Condition: When shaken, there is a very faint rattling sound from the setting, which could be tightened in seconds by any local jeweller, if desired. The turquoise stone is still very secure in its mount and the ring remains in great overall condition despite its significant age.
Measurements: UK size P 1/2, US size 7.75
The ring weighs 6.66 grams and the ring measures 3mm across at the back. The bezel measures 18mm north to south. The inner band is stamped with antique British hallmarks for the year 1892. The hallmarks of the ring suggest that it was possibly crafted from two existing wedding bands, as a type of sentimental jewel. The turquoise egg measures 14mm by 7mm.
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