Items Similar to 19th century Water Squirt Ring in Silver and Gold with Rock Crystal
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
19th century Water Squirt Ring in Silver and Gold with Rock Crystal
About the Item
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 set in an elaborately enameled ring in the Royal Collection. An intricately engraved squirt ring in silver-gilt with a sun dial is in the Alice and Louis Koch Collection in the Swiss National Museum, Zurich. A simpler silver squirt ring in the British Museum has French hallmarks which dates it between 1819-1838 (British Museum OA. 1448). A further nineteenth-century squirt ring with gemstones was sold by Les Enluminures, Chicago.
By the nineteenth century such rings may have also been used for perfume. Interestingly, the Royal Collection holds two Indian squirt/syringe rings used for rose water which were presented to King Edward VII, when travelling to India in 1875-76 as Prince of Wales (RCIN 11532 and 11395).
- Ring Size:9.25 US, Not Resizable
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:9.4 g
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1800-1900
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1991
1stDibs seller since 2021
5 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 16 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Renaissance Gold Marriage Ring with Table-Cut Rock CrystalLocated in Chicago, ILRenaissance Marriage Ring Western Europe, late 16th century Gold, rock crystal, traces of white and black enamel Weight 4.09 g; circumference...Category
Antique 16th Century European Renaissance Solitaire Rings
MaterialsRock Crystal, Gold
- Gothic Revival Gold Ring with Joan of Arc by Louis Wièse, Late 19th CenturyLocated in Chicago, ILJoan 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...Category
Antique 1890s French Gothic Revival Cocktail Rings
MaterialsGold
- Antique Silver Spanish Cross Pendant with Rock CrystalsLocated in Chicago, ILCross Pendant with Rock Crystals Spain or Portugal, late 17th - early 18th century Silver, gold, rock crystal Weight 9.1 gr.; Dimensions 56.3 × 38.8 mm. An elaborate and elegant cross pendant made of silver with rock crystals in closed settings. The center consists of a larger round gemstone surrounded by five irregular-shaped stones forming the cross. The openwork arms have a triangular shape and are formed of facetted rock-crystals in foliate settings. The obverse side of the cross consists of a layer of gold. An extension with two stones and an angular shaped frame is hooked into the pendant loop, probably to be worn on a velvet band. The pendant is in good, wearable condition. After the Reformation, cross pendants were worn mainly in Catholic countries by men, women, and children. During the seventeenth century, the designs became ever more intricate, and the crosses were often embellished with gemstones, such as rock crystals in this example. These were sourced along the Alpine regions of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Southern Germany. The stones gave the appearance of diamonds. The foliate settings are characteristic of late seventeenth- and eighteenth-century jewelry made in Spain...Category
Antique Late 17th Century Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCrystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
- Late 19th-Century Silver and Opal Cape Clasp by Louis WièseLocated in Chicago, ILLouis Wièse Cape Clasp France (Paris), c. 1890 Silver, opals Weight 102.8 gr.; Length 22.23 cm.; individual clasp diameter(s) c. 44 mm. Two openwork roundels in relief show a Chinese dragon head in cast and chased silver, entwined by a serpentine body with bird’s feet and talons. The eyes are formed of opal cabochons. Both roundels are joined by a wire loop and hook as clasp and eight chain links of twisted wire with intersecting plain loops. Traces of gilt remain. On the reverse along the edge of both roundels is the maker’s mark “WIESE” for Louis Wièse. This beguiling cloak clasp...Category
Antique 1890s French Gothic Revival Brooches
MaterialsOpal, Silver
- Gold Neoclassical Ring with Carnelian IntaglioLocated in Chicago, ILNeoclassical Ring Set with a Carnelian Intaglio of Dionysius Likely Italy?, or perhaps England?, 18th century (intaglio); c. 1800 (mount) Weight 5.8 gr.; bezel 21.6 x 18 mm.; circum...Category
Antique 18th Century Neoclassical More Rings
MaterialsCarnelian, Gold
- Georgian Ring as a Token of Love with Seed Pearls and Rose GoldLocated in Chicago, ILRING 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...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Cocktail Rings
MaterialsPearl, Rose Gold
You May Also Like
- Rock Crystal with Green Agate Triplet Ring in Sterling SilverBy Stephen DweckLocated in Lyndhurst, NJStep into the enchanting realm of Steven's Jewelry with the Rock Crystal with Green Agate Triplet Ring from the Garden of Stephen Collection. This exquisite piece, crafted in 925 ste...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan More Rings
MaterialsAgate, Sterling Silver
- Diamonds, Rock Crystal, Blue and Yellow Sapphires, 9 Karat Gold and Silver RingLocated in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsYellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Rock Crystal, Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver, ...
- Rock Crystal, Diamonds, Emeralds, Blue Sapphires, 9 Karat Gold and Silver RingLocated in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsBlue Sapphire, Rock Crystal, Emerald, Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver, Rose Gold
- 16th Century Renaissance Gold Ring with Table Cut Rock Crystal 22K GoldLocated in London, GBA stunning example of a European renaissance ring dating to 1550-1600! A table-cut rock crystal is mounted in a closed back rub over setting. The quatrefoil bezel is cuffed with a re...Category
Antique 16th Century British Renaissance More Rings
MaterialsRock Crystal, 22k Gold
- Mid-19th Century Blue Enamel and Crystal 9 Carat Gold RingLocated in Chipping Campden, GBStriking 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...Category
Antique 1830s British Victorian More Rings
MaterialsCrystal
- Georgian Stuart Crystal Ring, 18th CenturyLocated in Stamford, CTA rare, beautiful and magical Stuart Crystal Ring set in 15 Kt gold and backed in sterling silver. Before I say more please understand that none of...Category
Antique 18th Century English George II Solitaire Rings
MaterialsCrystal, 15k Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Prince Of Wales Silver
Concealed Dial
1960s Swan
Perfume Case
Albert Rose Gold
India 19th Jewelry
Swan Fashion
19th Century Jewel Case
Indian Enamel Jewelry
Faceted Rose Gold Band
Bronze Perfume
Antique Rings India
Royal Antique Dinner Set
1800 Mask
Rose De France Ring
Antique Dinner Ring
Antique Dinner Rings
Dinner Rings Antique