The Victorians adored jewelry featuring entwined serpents, a symbol of souls bound together in love. Though this ring has the look of a 19th-century piece, its hallmarks reveal it was made in 1917—one of the deadliest years of World War I. Crafted in Chester, a city with a goldsmithing tradition dating back to the 15th century, it reflects the enduring demand for sentimental jewelry even in turbulent times. The ring shows clear signs of devotion—its once-prominent buggy eyes have been worn nearly flat from wear, giving it a yin-yang aesthetic, a fitting additional layer of symbolism.
thedetails
- Materials
9k rose gold (marked)
- Age
Chester assay marks for 1917
- Condition
Very good - the outer buggy eyes on both snakes have mostly worn away (gives the piece kind of a yin yang effect which is rad)
- Size
8.5, can be resized (please note that resizing will likely result in the loss of the hallmarks), 15mm head, 3.8mm shank
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Aboutthe
EdwardianEra
1900 — 1910
The jewelry tended toward airy lightness, often in the form of lacy filigree. The world was changing rapidly, but lots of the jewelry still reflected the Victorian ideals of decorum and femininity. Ancient Roman and Greek influences remained popular. “White” jewelry became popular as plentiful deposits of platinum were discovered in Russia and improved smelting technology made it possible for jewelers to work in the noble metal. Platinum was seldom used by jewelers in earlier years owing both to its scarcity and high melting point. The jewelry trade took advantage of its rigid strength to create opulent openwork settings for increasingly brilliant diamonds. The old European cut was perfected, rounder and squatter than old mine. This took stone-cutting one step closer to the mathematically perfect round brilliant cut, which is the most popular diamond cut today. The now-iconic square Asscher cut was patented in 1902. Hot on the heels of platinum, the alloy mixture that produces white gold was formulated and patented in 1915 in New York City. With Europe in the grip of WW1, the American jewelry industry was poised to become a world leader and innovator.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.
