Siamese Mondop Ceremonial Ring
From the Journal
The Court Jewellery of Siam: A Guide to Antique Siamese Rings
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A Siamese ceremonial 'mondop' ring of the late 18th or early 19th century, made in the late Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin period.Rings like this were made for the monarchy and aristocracy of Siam to wear in ceremonies, and were later given as gifts to important visitors or other aristocratic families. On the 1861 Siamese embassy to France, the ambassador's son, Khoumsombat, was photographed wearing a very similar tiered mondop ring (see photos).A mondop is the tiered roof of a temple, such as Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Here a star ruby cabochon crowns the top tier and the rest of the bezel is covered in diamonds. The two outer tiers rotate, held by a split rivet visible on the closed back. The arched shoulders are set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies among foliage and serpent-like ornament, and the underside and outer shank carry bright red and green enamel, a style seen in examples at the V&A, the Smithsonian and the Cleveland Museum of Art.A heavy, architectural jewel for the serious collector.Details: late 18th to early 19th century; Siam (Thailand); tests as 22-24K gold; star ruby cabochon 3.7mm; diamonds approx. 2.6mm; rises 15.5mm from the finger; UK J½, US 5; 13.94g.Condition: Please ask for a detailed condition report.
A Siamese ceremonial 'mondop' ring of the late 18th or early 19th century, made in the late Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin period.
Rings like this were made for the monarchy and aristocracy of Siam to wear in ceremonies, and were later given as gifts to important visitors or other aristocratic families. On the 1861 Siamese embassy to France, the ambassador's son, Khoumsombat, was photographed wearing a very similar tiered mondop ring (see photos).
A mondop is the tiered roof of a temple, such as Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Here a star ruby cabochon crowns the top tier and the rest of the bezel is covered in diamonds. The two outer tiers rotate, held by a split rivet visible on the closed back. The arched shoulders are set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies among foliage and serpent-like ornament, and the underside and outer shank carry bright red and green enamel, a style seen in examples at the V&A, the Smithsonian and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
A heavy, architectural jewel for the serious collector.
Details: late 18th to early 19th century; Siam (Thailand); tests as 22-24K gold; star ruby cabochon 3.7mm; diamonds approx. 2.6mm; rises 15.5mm from the finger; UK J½, US 5; 13.94g.
Condition: Please ask for a detailed condition report.
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