{"product_id":"late-19th-century-balinese-priest-s-ring-with-ruby-and-granulation","title":"Balinese Ruby Hummingbird Ring","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eA rare and finely worked Balinese ‘priest’s ring’ dating to the late 19th century, crafted in high-karat gold and set with a ruby cabochon.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThis ring exemplifies the distinctive southern Balinese style, where the shoulders are adorned with long-beaked birds—likely stylised hummingbirds—whose beaks ingeniously serve as prongs to secure the ruby. This motif traces back to the Majapahit period in 15th-century East Java and reflects a continuity of Indonesian aesthetic traditions.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe gem is set within a conical bezel, richly decorated with intricate gold granulation and ropework—hallmarks of Balinese metalwork.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe ring is later stamped with a French control mark, likely applied when it entered France in the 20th century.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eA similar example was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in the 2021 \u003cem\u003eGolden Splendour\u003c\/em\u003e auction of the Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter Collection—one of the most important private collections of Asian jewellery.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e • Ruby cabochon, approx. 0.8ct\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e • Tests as 18K gold\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e • UK ring size I½ \/ US size 4.5\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e • Bezel protrudes approx. 1cm from the finger\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e • Total weight: 5.71g\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e Despite its age, the ring is in wearable condition. The ruby is secure, and the intricate goldwork remains well-preserved with expected softening to some surface details.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eA highly collectible example of historic Indonesian jewellery, blending symbolism, technical finesse, and ceremonial design.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48619612700980,"sku":"1017810074","price":3129.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/0G2A4701_1997721.jpg?v=1749587295","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/fr-ch\/products\/late-19th-century-balinese-priest-s-ring-with-ruby-and-granulation","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}