Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17

Antique Gold Indonesian Bali Garnet Ring 19th Century Hummingbird Gold Ring

$3,770.67
£2,750
€3,207.27
CA$5,163.34
A$5,740.93
CHF 2,997.60
MX$69,881.13
NOK 38,248.05
SEK 35,836.59
DKK 23,936.42
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A scarce late 19th century gold ‘priest’s ring’ from the island of Bali, Indonesia. The ring is a fantastic example of the southern Balinese style, where the shoulders are decorated with hummingbirds. The birds' beaks serve as prongs to hold the primary stone, a concept known from 15th-century East Java Majaphait times, and the tail extends down the band. As expected with Balinese gem-set gold rings made in this period, the present ring is of hollow construction, crafted in high-karat gold and set with a polished glass cabochon. The conical-shaped bezel holding a red glass gemstone of a bright colour, neatly held in position by two horizontal gold beak-shaped prongs. The bezel is intricately decorated with granulation (ring gold balls) and ropework, the most typical characteristic of Balinese workmanship. A similar example was offered for sale at Sothebys Hong Kong in 2021 in the famed ‘Golden Splendour’ sale from the Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter Collection. See final photo for side-by-side comparison. UK ring size I 1/2, US size 4.5 The ring weighs a total of 3.62 grams. It tests as 21 karat gold. Despite its impressive age, the ring is in wearable condition. The glass cabochon is securely set; however there is lots of surface wear making the appearance seem rough and worn. There is a dent to one of the shoulders and there is also evidence of a historic resizing. The stone measures 6mm x 4.5mm x 2mm, and the ring protrudes approximately 9mm from the base of the finger.
  • Ring Size:
    4.5 US, Resizable
  • Metal:
  • Weight:
    3.62 g
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Unknown
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 100161stDibs: LU2845224962902

More From This Seller

View All
Scarce Medieval Gold Garnet Ring Antique 13th Century Talisman Signet Ring
Located in London, GB
An exceptionally rare late 13th century Medieval period gold ring, made either France or England, circa 1280! This Medieval high-karat gold ring is set with a large 11ct irregular-s...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Engagement Rings

Materials

Garnet, 22k Gold

Scarce Antique Catalan 18th Century Gold Foiled Rose Cut Perpignan Garnet Ring
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Georgian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Garnet, Gold

Antique Indian Gold Ruby Cabochon Ring Mughal Period
Located in London, GB
A scarce late Mughal period Indian gold and ruby ring dating from the mid-19th century. The cabochon cut ruby is belcher set in an open-backed mount and weighs approximately 1ct. Th...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold

Antique Thai Siam 19th Century Gold Rose Cut Diamond and Ruby Garuda Bird Ring
Located in London, GB
A rare late 19th century gem-set princely gold ring made in Siam (Thailand). The ring takes the form of a mythical winged bird, possibly the Gar...
Category

Antique 19th Century Thai Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Ancient Javanese Gold Ring with Ruby Cabochon Java Indonesian Antique Solitaire
Located in London, GB
A scarce early Javanese gold and ruby ring dating from the 7th-15th century Indonesian Classical period. As expected with Javanese gem-set gold rings m...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Javanese Signet Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold

Royal 19th Century Siam Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Thai Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold

You May Also Like

Late 18th Century Gold Garnet Cluster Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Set with foiled closed-back square tablet cut garnets in heart-shaped mount to a bifurcated shoulders, engraved back. Period: Late 18th century. Top size: 18mm x 15mm. Size: 7. Weig...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Garnet, Yellow Gold, Gold

Antique Garnet and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This simple style signet ring holds a garnet stone measuring approx 1.5carat. Made in Birmingham, England. Ring Size: S or 9 Stone Dimensions: 9x7mm Weight: 2.8g
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Garnet, Gold

Antique French Early Nineteenth Century 18 Karat Gold Ring Garnets of Perpignan
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This beautiful earl nineteenth century ring was created in the south of France. It is made from 18 karat rose gold and carries a hallmark. The ring is designed as a flower. A large o...
Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet, 18k Gold

Antique Mid-18th Century Ruby !8 Karat Gold Ring Flat Cut Rubies
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This mid-eighteenth century ring is set with flat cut rubies. The ring head in the shape of a rosette is set with eight small and one large ruby. The larger center stone in a dome sh...
Category

Antique 1750s Italian Dome Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Garnet Cabochon 18 Karat Yellow Gold Floral Antique Unisex Signet Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval-shaped garnet cabochon measuring 13.5 x 17.0 mm Transparent dark/medium red in color - bezel set With ornately engraved surround and shank Depicting scrolling flo...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fine Antique Renaissance Style Garnet 14K Gold Band Ring, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Ornate Renaissance style 14K yellow gold garnet set band ring Late 19th Century Marks: Marker's mark A within a shield, 14K Technique: Twisted gold wire work, granulation, cullet set gemstones Size: 5.75 US Very Good Condition Very fine quality, intricate design and excellent workmanship, Hand crafted by an expert jeweler, this beautiful band is fit for a Renaissance princess or prince. A well rendered maker's mark on the interior of the letter A within a shield shaped crest. The garnets, rich vibrant red in color, faceted, cullet set. An ancient gemstone, garnet has been revered by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Medieval Crusaders, Hunza warriors, Kings and Queens. It has historically been associated with the heart, inner fire, love, friendship and vitality. Amulets using the stone have been discovered in Egyptian tombs...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Band Rings

Materials

Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold