Romancing History: A Double Serpent Ring's Enchantment

A splendid example of late Victorian artistry, this enchanting double serpent ring, dating back to circa 1880, encapsulates the transitional elegance between Victorian and Art Nouveau styles. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, the ring features two old mine brilliant cut diamonds, adding a subtle glimmer to its design. The serpentine motif, rich in symbolism ranging from wisdom to rebirth, is beautifully rendered, reflecting the era's fascination with nature and myth. This piece, embodying the whimsical charm and refined craftsmanship of its time, is a timeless treasure that speaks of history and romance.

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
The Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837-1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of The Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period.

Jewelry of this period is changing back from heavy to more smaller, romantic pieces with often whimsical motifs. Jewelers using diamonds and bright gemstones in elaborated and fine feminine pieces.

Period
ca. 1880
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 yellow gold (touchstone tested)
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Diamonds
Two old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.42ct colour and clarity J/L, vs/si
All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
All diamonds we offer are screened by the I.J.G.C. for whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
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Hallmarks
No trace.
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Dimensions
band width top of ring 1,36 cm (0,54 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
5,00 gram (3,21 dwt)

Ring size Continental EU: 60 & 19¼ , Size USA: 9¼ , Size UK: S

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

Adin Reference Nº
23135-0300

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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