Victorian-Era Double Snake Ring: A Symbol of Eternity with Diamonds and Rubies

This remarkable vintage double snake ring, crafted from 18K red gold, is a striking fusion of late Victorian and early Art Nouveau design, dating to circa 1900. The two serpents, symbolic of eternity and wisdom, intertwine gracefully, each set with an old mine-cut diamond (approximately 0.25ct in total), while their ruby eyes glimmer with intrigue. The fluid curves of the serpents capture the organic aesthetic of Art Nouveau, making this piece a true expression of nature’s elegance. With its timeless symbolism and captivating design, this ring is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Antique jewelry object group
ring

Condition
very good condition
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Country of origin
unknown

Style
Between Victorian and Art Nouveau - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament.

The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era. Art Nouveau (French for New Style) is an international movement and style of art, architecture and applied ar - especially the decorative arts - that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905).

The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art". It is also known as “Jugendstil”, German for "youth style", named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it, and in Italy, Stile Liberty from the department store in London, Liberty & Co., which popularised the style. A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms.

Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.
See also: late-Victorian, early Art Nouveau , eclecticism
more info on styles

Style specifics
Late Victorian / early Art Nouveau - The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.

Period
ca. 1900
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mother Nature

Theme
Snakes and serpents - Snakes and serpents are one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols . Considerable overlap exists in the symbolic values that serpents represent in various cultures. Some such overlap is due to the common historical ancestry of contemporary symbols. Much of the overlap, however, is traceable to the common biological characteristics of snakes.

A lot can be said about snakes and serpents. They have been worshipped since the Dark Ages and are a powerful religious symbol with many different meanings, like death and resurrection, while they have also been associated with healing and rivergods and also denote fertility, wisdom and the ability to cure.

Material 18K
red gold (touchstone tested)
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Diamonds
Two old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.25ct colour and clarity H/J, si/i

- When we provide weights, colour grades, and clarity of diamonds, these are approximate unless otherwise stated, as we do not remove diamonds from their settings to preserve the integrity of the piece.

- All diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, in our vintage and antique jewellery are verified as 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.

- We do not sell lab-grown (synthetic) diamonds.

Precious stones
Four ruby with an estimated weight of ± 0.08ct

All color stone weights are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
It is a very common practice to treat gemstones to intensify their clarity or colour. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and ruby for July.
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Hallmarks
Illegible remains.
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Dimensions
band width top of ring 1,12 cm (0,44 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
5,50 gram (3,54 dwt)

Ring size Continental EU: 53 & 17 , Size USA: 6¼ , Size UK: M

Resizing
Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we have to charge).
more info on ring sizes

Adin Reference Nº
24292-0131

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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