Early 19th-Century Enameled Gold Ring with Flowers and Concealed Compartment

Joan of Arc Ring by Louis Wièse (1852-1930) France, c. 1890 Gold Weight 9.3 gr.; Circumference 56.45 mm.; US size 7 3/4; UK size P ½ Cast and chased openwork gold ring with square section hoop, grooved on the lower half and forked at the shoulder to form a triangular frame for a Gothic trefoil...

Squirt Ring West European, 1800-1900 Silver, gold, rock crystal Weight 9.4 gr.; circumference 60.38 mm.; cylinder length 41.2 mm US size 9 ¼ ; UK size S ¼ Fascinating nineteenth century party piece, incorporating an elegant and sparkling ring Description: Squirt ring made of a hollow silver cylinder with four ornamental bands and a cap with plunger. This holds the liquid, and when the plunger is pulled out and pushed back in the squirt mechanism is triggered. At the other end is a hollow ring through which the liquid flows and then squirts out of a small hole on the band next to the gemstone. The gold ring, angled to the cylinder, has a tubular hoop and a gold round-shaped cup bezel with a silver-set, facetted rock crystal gemstone. The ring is fully functionable. The cylinder lies concealed in the palm of the hand. Punched on the cylinder is a swan, the French guarantee mark for the fineness of silver on items of unknown origin (in use from 1893-1970). Along the gold hoop of the ring are four indistinct hallmarks: a helmeted head (?), two rectangular punch marks, one with lower case ‘g’ in the corner, and traces of two illegible punches. Provenance: Yves Brasseur (26 February—11 August 2005), Ghent, Belgium, a collector of rings who was a Belgian fencer of Olympic stature, having competed in this sport in the Olympics in the 1960s. Literature: The earliest account of a squirt ring dates to about 1770 with the description of a diplomatic incident at the Court of Frederick the Great. The French ambassador M. de Guines belonged to the diplomatic corps in Berlin, the capital of the Prussian Empire. His pompous behavior was widely mocked. Prince Dolgorouki, the Russian ambassador was invited to a gala dinner as a guest of honor with his newly wed bride. She was seated next to the French ambassador whom she squirted with water from a mechanism concealed in the palm of her hand, when he was admiring her jewel. He vowed he would throw a glass of water at her if she continued. The ambassador’s wife ignored his warning, and he in fact put his threat into effect. The guests at the dinner were obliged to keep a discreet silence surrounding this embarrassing occurrence. The fashion for such squirt rings appears to have continued into the nineteenth century, although few examples are known. The designs and materials vary: bronze ring with mask of Silenus in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Silenus, the god of wine-making and drunkenness, appears again on a squirt ring in form of a garnet cameo...

Alexis Falize Brooch with depiction of Renaissance Lady France (Paris), c. after 1894 Gold, silver, enamel, diamonds Weight 10.7 gr.; Width 43.6 mm.; Height 22.3 mm. Gold rectangu...

RING AS TOKEN OF LOVE England or America, about 1800-1820 Rose gold, pearls Weight 3 gr.; circumference: 56.45 mm.; US size 7.75; UK size P 1/2 The expression of love and friendship is universal in life as in death, and hair mementoes...

Ring with Bust of Tyche Roman, late 1st century - 2nd Century AD Gold Weight 4.4 gr.; Circumference 43.45 mm.; US size 2 ¾ ; UK size E ½ Miniature sculpture in ring form of the Gree...

Renaissance Cameo Of Galba (?) in Modern Gold Setting Europe, 17th (?) century Onyx and gold Weight: 10.2 g.; circumference: 51.8 mm.; size: US 6, UK...

Beautiful Amethyst and flower enamel 18k yellow gold ring Central Amethyst 20ct and 16 diamonds aprox. 0.24ct colour H, VS purity Irama Pradera is a dynamic and outgoing designer fr...

Diamond and Turquoise - a fine pleasing bright robin's egg blue color. This prong set center stone is a high sugar-loaf cabochon. 20 fine white brilliant cut diamonds, all well cut...

Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. A delightful vintage ring, the top of which is set with antique cushion-cut diamonds on black enamel. The start of the ring is wide, openwork and chased...

Striking blue enamel surrounding a glossy cabochon crystal. This Victorian beauty is modelled out of gold and has initials reading E.A. engraved underneath the main panel. Ring Siz...

A beautiful cocktail ring with a Rosecut Diamond in the centre and intricate enamel all over the ring. Holding the beautiful Diamond are 2 peacocks also handcrafted in gold with blue...

A beautiful and rare antique ring with a secret compartment. Charming enamel ring, with a concealed compartment for keepsakes and brimming with e...