Ravensbury Antiques

This stunning Edwardian toi et moi ring, crafted in France during the Belle Époque era, beautifully symbolises e...

A scarce late 19th century gold ‘priest’s ring’ from the island of Bali, Indonesia. ...

A striking gold ring, dating from the early 20th century. The figural shoulders are adorned with angelic putti m...

Very Rare Antique Seljuk ‘Selçuklu’ Period Niello & Silver Islamic Ring This incredible piece dates to the 11-1...

This exceptional, rare cross pendant dates from circa 1650, crafted in either Spain or France. Made from pure ro...

This elegant antique solitaire ring was crafted in Vienna during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, circa 1900. Set wi...

An exquisite late 19th-century Dutch brooch, intricately set with over 100 rose-cut diamonds. The design centres...

A stunning antique Victorian diamond solitaire ring, made in Vienna, circa 1890. The 14K gold ring, crafted dur...

This elegant antique solitaire ring was crafted in Vienna during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, circa 1900. Set wi...

This rare and enchanting early Georgian 'Crowned Heart' ring dates back to circa 1740, a stunning precursor to t...

A superb example of early 20th-century French jewellery, this Art Deco period ring truly embodies the elegance a...

This scarce gold intaglio ring dates to the Indonesian Classical period, circa 8th–10th century. The ring is crafted from high-karat gold (22K), featuring a circular bezel that holds an amethyst gemstone engraved with a scorpion motif. Scorpions were often considered symbols of protection in ancient traditions, aligning with Javanese beliefs that rings possessed magical properties to bring good fortune and guard against harm. The stirrup-shaped shoulders, designed to mimic the form of water buffalo horns, are a hallmark of early Javanese craftsmanship. This distinctive design reflects both artistic expression and cultural symbolism rooted in Java’s agricultural and spiritual traditions. Java, one of Indonesia’s largest islands, was a significant centre of civilisation and artistry during this period. Gold rings were not merely decorative but also served as currency, payment for fines, dowries, and even wedding feasts. Imported gemstones, like the present amethyst, were chosen for their astrological, magical, and medicinal properties, further enhancing their importance in Javanese society. Referenced Examples: Similar rings can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession No. 1998.544.298). Additional examples are catalogued in Java Gold...

A superb ancient Roman agate intaglio ring. The high-karat gold signet ring is set with an engraved gemstone, known as an ‘intaglio’. It dates from between the 2nd to 3rd century AD and is a fine example of a Romano-British intaglio. The conical-shaped agate gemstone displays various bands of colour ranging from honey brown to greyish-blue. The engraving depicts the bust of a man wearing a helmet, possibly winged which would depict Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, financial gain and communication. In Roman times, people would wear rings with the intaglio of Mercury in hope that the he would protect them and bless them with good financial fortune in their lives. A number of referenced examples of similar ancient Roman conical shaped intaglios reside in notable museums all across the world, from the British Museum to the Louvre. A page with these examples and their sources can be found in the final photos of the listing. Similar examples can also be found in the extensive Alice and Louis Koch collection (items: 234, 235, 241, 301). Again see final images for reference. The gold ring mount is of D-shaped cross-section and a hollow 22K gold construction. The ring has a fantastic smooth silk-like texture when worn. It remains in good overall condition and the intaglio is very secure in the mount. The gold mount dates to the late 18th to early 19th century, and the shape is inspired by ancient Roman ring...

A vintage mid-century gold bracelet set with magnificent aquamarine, circa 1940. The bracelet weighs an impress...

A superb antique 19th century gold opal and diamond bracelet, circa 1880. This large and magnificent bracelet w...

This exquisite Elizabethan gold ring dates to the mid-16th century (c.1570) and features a circular bezel set wi...

This remarkable Victorian diamond bangle was crafted in the city of Gouda, Netherlands, around 1870. It features...

This incredible, rare gold ring dates from the 12th century Seljuk dynasty. The carnelian intaglio is set within a typical Seljuk tapered rectangular bezel with a four-pronged gold setting soldered to the outside of the bezel. Applied and pierced arabesque designs are placed at the bottom of each prong which also reinforce the joints. Further applied gold Seljuk ornamentation decorates the band, including two gold birds and a highly decorative vestigial sprued bottom (back-knob) from the casting. The gold mount itself is also ornately and intricately chased and nielloed with arabesque patterns. Remarkably, the niello work remains in exceptional condition, and can still be seen on the underside of the bezel which is decorated with a lattice pattern. The carnelian intaglio seal is flat cut base with bevelled sides. This shape was predominantly used in the seals from the 8th to 11th century. The seal is engraved with angular Kufic script with forked terminals which dates the seal to the 9th-12th centuries (Porter, 2011). For similar referenced examples in museums and notable collections, see final photos, in particular item 26 in ‘Islamic Rings and Gems: the Benjamin Zucker Collection’ (1987). UK size K, US size 5.25 The ring weighs 9.19 grams and is crafted in high-karat gold (21K gold). The carnelian stone measures 11mm x 8mm x 3mm. The hollow box bezel measures 16mm x 10mm and protrudes 7mm from the base. This museum-grade ring is a rare survivor, most existing examples have some damage to the ring, intaglio or niello - this is a scarce example in superb, original condition. The Seljuks, a Turkish dynasty of Central Asian nomadic origins, became the new rulers of eastern Islamic lands following the defeat of the powerful Ghaznavids at the Battle of Dandanakan (1040). Under the Seljuk sultanate, which spanned from the 11th to the 13th century, goldsmiths and jewellers created works of unparalleled beauty and sophistication. Seljuk jewellery...

An exceptionally rare late 13th century Medieval period gold ring, made either France or England, circa 1280! T...

This remarkable vintage necklace, crafted in the Netherlands circa 1900, features a total of 69 rose-cut diamond...

A scarce late Mughal period Indian gold and ruby ring dating from the mid-19th century. The cabochon cut ruby i...

A late 19th century antique Victorian gold and pearl bangle, circa 1870. The hinged bangle bracelet is handcra...

A very rare mid-19th century French masonic mother of pearl charm pendant. It is truly remarkable how this particularly fragile gold and mother of pearl pendant has survived in such pristine condition for all these years. The charm pendant features 5 different motifs associated with Freemasonry including the shovel, all-seeing eye, compass, square and scales. They have all been crafted in gold and hand carved mother of pearl. The individual pendants can be easily added or removed as the bail is actually a split ring which opens up. The pendant weighs 1.77 grams. The gold is unmarked but tests as 15K gold. It measures approximately 2cm in length. A fantastic and coveted addition for any collector of rare and antique masonic jewellery.

A traditional antique Portuguese steel and gold signet ring, dating from the early 20th century, circa 1900. T...

Rare Antique Late 18th Century Garnet Intaglio Signet Ring with Rose Cut Diamonds This fantastic signet ring da...

A stunning antique gold ring, made in Vienna circa 1910. This three-stone gypsy ring is set with a sapphire, an ...

This enchanting Victorian crescent moon brooch, circa 1890, showcases approxim...

A rare 19th century princely gold cluster ring made in Siam (Thailand), circa 1860.This gorgeous ruby and diamond ring was intricately crafted in high-karat gold, by the goldsmiths of the royal Siam court in the 19th century. It is a fine example of the lavish adornment worn by participants in royal and aristocratic life-cycle ceremonies in the courts of Bangkok. Aside from ceremonial use, they were also occasionally given as gifts to important visitors or other aristocratic families. There was a huge expansion in the number of royals in 19th century Siam which stemmed from Kings Mongkut (Rama IV) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V) being highly polygamous. They had a joint total of 124 wives and 159 royal children, each requiring their own ceremonial regalia and princely jewels. As a result, Bangkok became home to some incredibly skilled goldsmiths in this period and the sheer number of jewellery required has meant that today princely jewels like this one can very occasionally be found in the open market, particularly in Europe following the relocation of the Thai royal family to Switzerland and France in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The ring features a row of cabochon rubies horizontally aligned, surrounded by a sea of rose cut diamonds. All of the stones are in rubover settings within a web of hexagonal honeycomb frames. The band is decorated with pierced and deeply chased scrollwork motifs, typical of Siam jewellery...

A scarce and small ancient Roman gold Medusa cameo ring, circa 2nd to 3rd century AD. The carved layered onyx g...

A superb gold archaeological revival fringe necklace, made in France and dating from the 1940’s. The necklace i...

A superb antique Georgian ruby and diamond ring made in England, circa 1820. The centre of this ‘target’ shaped ...

A rare late 19th century gem-set princely gold cluster ring made in Siam (Thailand). This gorgeous and colourful gem-set cluster ring is intricately crafted in high-karat gold, by the goldsmiths of the Siam court in the 19th century. The centre features a rose cut diamond in a rubber gold setting which is riveted to the body of the ring which is visible from the underside, a feature typical of 18th and 19th century Siam rings . It is surrounded by a halo of rubies, garnets and diamonds, with emeralds on the shoulders. The thick gold band features pierced scrollwork motifs and is stamped with a French gold import mark from when it was later brought into the country. This ring is a fine example of the lavish adornment worn by participants in royal and aristocratic life-cycle ceremonies in the courts of Bangkok. Aside from ceremonial use, they were also occasionally given as gifts to important visitors or other aristocratic families. Examples of these lavish jewels being worn can be seen on old photos and paintings of life-cycle ceremonies such as the Royal Tonsure Ceremony, also known as ‘the cutting of the top-knot’ ceremony, which marked the transition into adulthood for all of the (many!) sons and daughters of the Siam royal family. The huge expansion in the number of royals in 19th century Siam stemmed from Kings Mongkut (Rama IV) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V...

A scarce early Javanese gold and ruby ring dating from the 7th-15th century Indones...

An unusual example of a scarce seven-stone bow ring dating from the early 18th century, circa 1700. The ring was...

A superb and rare ancient Indus Valley etched carnelian bead ring. The conical shaped carnelian gemstone in the centre dates from the middle of the third millennium BC. Deep orange in colour with white patterned etchings, these beads originate from the Indus Valley civilisation (parts of modern day Pakistan and India). These carnelian beads were alkaline-bleached to develop the geometric white patterns visible on the exterior. The technique was first developed by the Harappans of the Indus Valley civilisation, and vast quantities have been found in archaeological sites all across the Indus Valley. The conical stone has been set in a later high-karat gold ring mount, the hoop is hollow and of circular cross section which widens towards the bezel. This design and shape is typical of ancient gold rings...

A rare late 19th century gem-set princely gold ring made in Siam (Thailand...

This rare antique late 18th century gold ring was made in France and features a painted enamel miniature of a sh...

An outstandingly rare mid-19th century royal Siam diamond cluster ring, made by the royal goldsmiths of the court of Bangkok. This is an extremely fine example of the jewellery commissioned and subsequently bestowed by the Kings of Siam, principally to be worn by participants in royal and aristocratic life-cycle ceremonies in the courts of Bangkok. In the mid-19th century, King Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam also commissioned the courtly jewellers to create a number of faithful replicas of these ceremonial jewels to be offered as gifts to diplomatic families, important visitors and to Heads of State across the world when re-establishing diplomatic relationships. One such example (which is remarkably similar to the present ring) resides in the museum of the Château de Fontainebleau (item F1518C) where it was given as a gift from King Mongkut to Napoléon-III on the important ambassadorial visit of 1861 (see photos for a side by side comparison). Ceremonial Use: During the 19th century, many rings were made every year by the royal jewellers for ceremonial use. Examples of these lavish cluster rings being worn for these life-cycle ceremonies can be seen on old photos and paintings of the Royal Tonsure Ceremony, also known as ‘the cutting of the top-knot’ ceremony, which marked the transition from childhood into adulthood for all of the (many!) sons and daughters of the Siam royal family. The huge expansion in the number of royals in 19th century Siam stemmed from Kings Mongkut (Rama IV) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V) being highly polygamous. They had a joint total of 124 wives and 159 royal children, each requiring their own ceremonial regalia and princely jewels. As a result, Bangkok became home to some incredibly skilled goldsmiths in this period. The Tonsure ceremony was performed by the King, and lasted three days and three nights. All of the royal children would be dressed in the most splendid costumes and adorned with a vast amount of jewels on several parts of the body. Their costumes and jewels differed according to their title and rank. Diamonds for instance, would be bestowed to the highest ranking noble children. The royal children were allowed to keep their regalia and jewels as a present on entering adulthood to indicate their social status among society. Over the years, these royal jewels have been dispersed across the many noble families, with currently only a few important pieces remaining in the royal collection. Today, the number of royals in Thailand is contracting as the country follows the Chinese nobility system whereby with each generation the noble rank of a family decreases by one ranking so that eventually the majority of descendants will lose their noble status completely. This loss of royal privilege, coupled with the dilution of wealth has meant that items such as this ring become available on the open market. Following the end of the absolute monarchy in Thailand in 1932, many members of the royal family relocated to Europe and as a consequence, princely Thai items can occasionally be found in the European art market. Gift Exchange: In Siam culture, great importance is placed on the ancestral process of gift-exchange. During the reign of King Mongkut, close relationships with some powerful countries were cultivated in order to hold the balance of power and to save Siam from being colonised. The King used gift-exchange to establish diplomatic relations with other heads of state around the world, as well as with other kings, princes and sultans closer to home. He sent troupes of ambassadors to England (1857) and France (1861) with seemingly endless amounts of trunks filled with lavish gifts in order to dazzle the heads of state with the extraordinary quality and variety of Siam craftsmanship. These gifts consisted of faithful replicas of the Royal Regalia and objects belonging to the King himself; items and jewellery worn by him on his Tonsure ceremony and on his coronation day. Enormous time and effort was required by the Siam court to assemble these numerous gifts, as they emanated from the very same royal goldsmiths and courtly craftsman who had made the original ceremonial items. The most famous of these ceremonies took place at the Chateau de Fontainebleau in 1861. The painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme that immortalised the event prominently features the most spectacular of these gifts. Among the 150 gifts presented to Napoléon-III by the Siam ambassadors were two diamond-set rings, both of which are on display in the Musée du Chateau de Fontainebleau (item no. F1518C and F1519C). One of these rings is a rose cut diamond cluster and bears a striking resemblance to the ring we are offering. According to Bruley (2011), this ring, presented to Napoleon-III, was a faithful replica of the ring worn by King Mongkut on his own coronation day in 1851, which now resides in the Pavilion of Royal Regalia in Thailand. The Ring: From whichever angle the present ring is viewed, it is a masterpiece of design and a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Siam royal goldsmiths. The bezel head is composed of two layers, the uppermost, containing the large triangle shaped table-cut diamond, is riveted to the main body of the ring. The second layer of the cluster is set with a further eight rose cut diamonds and this section allows for small rotation, typical of Siam jewellery...

A gorgeous antique emerald and diamond ring dating to the 19th century. The central prong-set 0.3ct pear cut natural emerald displays a gorgeous lush green hue and great saturation. It is surrounded by a halo of rose cut diamonds in closed-back and foiled rubover settings. The triangular facets of rose cuts were very popular during the Georgian and Victorian periods as they glistened more beautifully in candlelight than any other cut. The heart shaped bezel...

This striking antique gold cluster ring dates to the mid-19th century. The ring is crafted in 18K gold with black enamel. In the centre rests a vibrant 0.44ct step cut emerald in an open-backed rubover setting. The stone is a wonderful vivid green colour and sits majestically within a halo of rose cut diamonds. The gaps in between the stones are accented with black enamel which contrasts the emerald beautifully. The open work shoulders form a lattice motif, which leads to a tapering, fluted shank. UK size N, US size 6.5 The ring weighs 4.87 grams and is stamped with a later ‘750’ mark to indicate 18K gold. The emerald is in great condition, it is securely set with no signs of surface damage - it display a great colour and clarity with natural inclusions. It measures 4mm in diameter. The rose cut diamonds measure 2mm across. The round bezel measures 13mm in diameter. The ring sits fairly flat on the finger to allow for frequent wear, and the emerald is open-backed which makes it easy to clean! A truly gorgeous and highly unusual antique emerald cluster ring.

A superb and unusual glass cameo ring made in Paris, circa 1960. The ring is rather large in scale, crafted in 18K gold and weighing a seriously impressive 29 grams. In the centre rests a bright orange “pate de verre” (moulded glass paste) cameo with a frosted glass effect to the front and a faceted underside. The cameo depicts the bust of a woman in classical style wearing a wreath of flowers and grapes. The ring head features an openwork gallery which takes the form of circles which are enamelled in black. There is a white and black enamelled floral motif on each shoulder with chased crosshatching in typical Renaissance style. This impressive ring is particularly unusual due to the fact that incorporates a variety of revival styles into the design, for example the 17th century style shoulders with the Art Deco era frosted glass classical bust. UK size Q, US size 8 1/2 29g, French hallmarked 18K gold...

This highly unusual antique gold ring features a late 18th century French portrait miniature attached to a multi...

A rare Portuguese 18th century ‘minas novas’ rock crystal cluster ring, circa 1770. A lovely example of Georgian period Portuguese jewellery...

A superb antique Georgian diamond cluster ring, circa 1780-1820. The silver-topped gold bezel exhibits a flora...

This dazzling antique diamond pendant was made in Germany and dates to the mid-19th century. The stunning centra...

A spectacular pair of diamond chandelier earrings dating to the early 19th century. Each earring features 122 ro...

A superb ancient Roman nicolo intaglio set in a late 18th century gold signet ring...

A fantastic French 19th century Neorenaissance silver intaglio ring, in the ...

A very unusual antique gold ring set with a carved brown and white hardstone cameo depicting the theatrical comic mask of Silenus, the Greek mythological old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. The ring was made in the late 19th century and carries French control marks for 18K gold, whilst the cameo is probably Italian and made slightly earlier, circa 1800. Silenus was a companion to the wine god Dionysus, and suitably he was a notorious consumer of wine, usually drunk and supported by satyrs or carried by a donkey. Silenus was described as the oldest, wisest and most drunken of the followers of Dionysus, and was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when intoxicated. He presides over the other satyrs and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy and drunken dances. Silenus was usually depicted as a jovial old man, bald yet bearded, with a pot-belly, thick lips and snub-nose. The masks worn to play him in theatre really emphasised these features, as you can see with this cameo carving Theatre was a key part of ancient Greek culture. The theatrical masks worn by the actors, known as ‘prosopon’, served various purposes. They enabled individual actors to play multiple roles (or genders) in the same performance; the exaggerated expressions helped define the character being portrayed; they helped spectators in the back rows to tell the characters apart. This particular masked as mentioned before is a comedic Silenus, please see final photo for other examples of Silenus masks in museum collections. UK size N 1/2, US size 7 4.84g 18K gold French ‘tête...

This unusual antique Georgian era floral ruby and diamond cluster ring dating to around 1800 was probably made in Italy. In the middle of the ring head lies a collet set and foil-backed bright pink ruby. It is surrounded by a sea of 20 flat-cut and closely set diamonds in a flower head cluster style. The raised ruby setting appears to fixed to the ring with a cut-down rivet which is visible on the smooth underside of the bezel. The rosy hued gold ridged shoulders taper down to the back of the shank. This elegant ring sits fairly flat on the finger to allow for frequent wear and is without doubt a particularly unusual and scarce example of its kind. UK size L 1/2, US size 6 4.72g, band tests as 14K gold, bezel tests as silver, ring head measures 14mm x 13mm. Each diamond measures between 1mm and 3mm. Approx 0.3ct...

This antique conversion piece started life as a regional ‘Croix Badine’ (Badine cross) dating to the late 18th century, the most emblematic jewel of the Catalan part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The badine cross is a regional cross mounted with rose cut and foiled Perpignan garnets...

This stunning antique cluster ring was made in France and dates to around the mid 19th century, circa 1860. In the centre rests a smooth banded agate in an open back setting, encircled by a halo of rose cut diamonds in closed-back, cutdown silver settings with a combined approximate weight of 0.15 carats. The ring has a decorative pierced gallery in the form of crescents and a solid semi-circular shank. The shoulders are decorated with two applied fleur-de-lis, each set with rose cut diamonds in silver settings. The main colour of the milky agate is a creamy-brown hue with a darker brown band on one side. The diamonds are rose cut, the triangular facets of these cuts were very popular during the Georgian and Victorian periods as they glistened more beautifully in candlelight than any other cut. This elegant ring sits flat on the finger, the stones are secure in their settings and the ring is in superb condition despite its significant age, a truly rare find! UK size U / US size 10, 5.44g, French ’tête...

A small, delicate and beautifully handcrafted ring made in France during the Belle Epoque era, circa 1900. The design is inspired by late 18th century French ring types known as ‘firmament’ and ‘enfantement’ rings. They were designed by French jewellers to celebrate the long-awaited news that King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were expecting an heir (bagues au firmament...

A beautifully enamelled Royal monogram ‘cypher’ presentation ring of Prince Arthur William, Duke of Connaught and Strathern. It was made around 1905 and crafted in 18K gold. It would have started life as a royal presentation lapel pin and has since been converted into a ring. The cypher features crimson and ivory enamel and is placed below an intricate coronet with fleurs-de-lis and crosses pattée, the coronets used by children or grandchildren of the British sovereign...

This incredibly ornate piece was made in Siam during the late Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin Kingdom period. It dates to the late 18th and is a very rare example of a ceremonial ‘mondop’ or ‘pagoda’ ring. These rings were made for the monarchy and aristocratic class of Siam to be worn as part of the lavish adornment paraphernalia used in ceremonies. These elaborate rings were subsequently given as gifts to important visitors or other aristocratic families. A similar example is found in Musée National du Château de Fontainebleau and was originally presented to Napoléon-III by the ambassadors of King Mongkut of Siam (Rama IV) alongside hundreds of other lavish gifts in order to re-establish diplomatic relations between France and Siam in 1861. Among these gifts are old jewels from King Mongkut’s treasury, including the gold diamond mondop/pagoda ring (see photos). During this visit, the son of the Siamese ambassador, Khoumsombat, is photographed wearing a very similar tiered mondop ring with what also appears to be a ruby cabochon at the top (see photos). A ‘mondop’ is the tiered roof of a temple, for example that of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, and is designed to be in the shape of the image of Buddha. The top tier of this ring features a bezel set star ruby cabochon while the rest of the bezel is covered with diamonds. The two outermost tiers rotate and are connected to the main body of the ring with a bifurcated rivet visible on the closed-back underside of the bezel, typical ornamentation of 18th century layered cluster rings. The arched shoulders are equally as ornate with bezel set rub over diamonds, emeralds and rubies appearing between foliate motifs and protruding serpent-esque decoration. The underside and outershank display bright red and green floral enamelling often seen on naga rings...