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Back to previous pageLOT 0341
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720
18TH-19TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (10.02 grams, 28.41 mm overall, 17.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)).
A Georgian-era 15 carat gold and silver 'poison' ring, composed of a slender hoop of scrolls and crescents with a plain panel at the base, expanding shoulders formed as openwork foliate flourishes set with small stones; oval cluster bezel set with a central cushion-cut emerald weighing approximately 4.06 cts, held in a pierced setting with twisted gold wire collar, and surrounded by rose-cut diamonds; hinged bezel revealing a secret compartment beneath, the reverse domed and engraved with a stylised shell motif.
PROVENANCE:
Acquired from Platt Boutique Jewelry, Inc., West Hollywood, California, USA, 2016.
Property of an East Sussex collector.
Accompanied by a copy of the Platt Boutique Jewelry invoice.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11668-197586.
LITERATURE:
See discussion in Jones, W., Finger-ring Lore, London, 1877, p.433.
FOOTNOTES:
'Poison rings' became popular in Europe during the 16th century, and Lucrezia Borgia is popularly believed to have used one. The compartment within the bezel was used to conceal poison, a lock of hair or other substances.
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