Tolga Of New York
Recent Sales
2010s North American Artisan Engagement Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Finding the Right rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
- Who owns Mazza New York?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Paul Mazza is the owner and designer at Mazza New York. Since founding the brand in the early 2000s, Paul has gained renown in New York and beyond for his jewelry’s craftsmanship. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Mazza jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023The artist of the painting called "New York City" is the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. He was a part of the De Stijl art movement, which emphasized depicting objects, scenes and figures as their basic geometric shapes in simple primary colors. You can see this approach reflected in "New York City," where the architecture of the Big Apple is depicted in simple grid lines in yellow, red and blue. Find a variety of abstract art from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Milton Glaser designed the I Love New York logo. The Bronx-born graphic designer produced the now-iconic image in 1977. Glaser had many other successes during his nearly 70-year career, including creating iconic posters and prints and cofounding the groundbreaking design firm Push Pin Studios. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Milton Glaser art.