Antique Black Dot Paste Cluster Ring, 1840

Unusual English Stuart period paste cluster ring with 8 rose cut pastes set in silver and backed in 18K with a gold bordered almandine garnet stone at center. Rings with paste stones in combination with real stones are unusual. The rose cut pastes on this ring are meticulously hand carved and the ring has significant hand gold work throughout. There is a painted black Florentine enamel design at the shoulders and the band is 18K. The goldsmith etched 3 flourishes into the gold band where the enamel painting ends on each side. The back of the ring is carved into a 6 leaved gold flower and raised about 3-4 mmm to give it depth. The ring back is as spectacular as the front. Such artistry could only be accomplished through the hand-work of an early goldsmith. The origin of paste is credited to 2 infamous Georges, the first being George Ravenscroft, an English glassmaker who in the 16th century invented a composition of leaded glass that resembled rock crystal. This composition of glass and lead and other mysterious ingredients were further developed and popularized by a Parisian jeweler, George Straus who is widely credited with popularizing paste jewelry...

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