Antique Silver Ring Box, Circa 1890
Located in Altrincham, GB
Here we have a the most incredible antique multi ring/trinket box... With red velvet interiors, we've added a black felt inner that can accommodate up to six individual rings- If you...
Silver
Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Ring, 1920s
Located in Münster, DE
It is embedded in smaller old-cut diamonds, The ring band, which is made up of 3 strands, emphasizes the Art Deco character of the ring The ring was lovingly handcrafted in the 1920s...
Platinum
Westerwald Ring Jug Lamp
Located in Savannah, GA
A late 19th or early 20th century Westerwald ring jug converted to a lamp. Bellarmine face on tapering neck, with rope-twist handle, molded flowering vines and armorial roundel, wit...
Stoneware
Very Large 19th Century Mercury Glass Kugel Sphere with Brass Ring
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very large 19th century German silver mercury glas Kugel sphere having original brass ring.
Mercury Glass
A Fine Finger-Ring set with a Heliotrope Intaglio of a Warrior
Located in London, GB
Such intricate decoration closely mirrors examples in the Alice and Louis Koch Collection (Anna Beatriz Chadour, Rings; p. 200, nos. 652 - 653), where comparable engraved motifs are ...
Gold
$169Sale Price|24% Off
WMF Butterfly Serviette Ring Art Nouveau, C.1906
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF Art Nouveau old silver pewter finish Butterfly Serviette Ring, circa 1906. The Ring of large pierced foliate design, centering a cartouche engraved Thure flanked on either side w...
Pewter
Large Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, Lady Ring Thrower, by R. Boeltzig, Ca 1924
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Manufactory: Meissen Dating: Made 1924-1934 Material: Multicolored porcelain, glossy finish / metal ring and staff Technique: Handmade porcelain Style: ...
Porcelain
Antique Belle Époque Hand with Diamond Ring Paperclip Desk Accessory Silver
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This beautiful paperclip in the shape of a hand is made out of silver and marked 800. The hand wears a ring with a genuine diamond and an enamelled bracelet.
Diamond, Silver
Antique Berlin Iron Hercules Relief Portrait Strength 18 Karat Gold Modern Ring
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This rare and most unusual cast iron plaque with the portrait in profile of Hercules dates from the first or second decade of the 19th century. It is a typical example of the work o...
Gold, Berlin Iron
Antique German Silver Cow Creamer
By J.D. Schleissner & Söhne 1
Located in New York, NY
Hinged and garlanded cover with stylized fly finial and flicked-back tail forming ring handle. German marks including 800-fineness stamp, and Hanau maker’s (JD Schleissner & Söhne) a...
Silver
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.
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The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.